Diamond Solitaire Advice - question on setting, supplier, backing, color.

[lizz1234]

First off wanted to thank you all for being so helpful a few years ago when it came to deciding on my perfect engagement ring. This forum helped me pick out a Victor Canera 1.9TCW halo ring that I love and I learned SO MUCH from this forum.

I have decided to treat myself with some Diamond studs for my birthday and have some questions below. Also some quick background - I am super lazy when it comes to my jewelry and wear most of it 24/7 - 3 gold necklaces, Cartier watch, love bracelet and JUC along with a stephanie Gotlieb slider bracelet and a thin bonylevy Diamond bracelet. For my ears, I wear small Diamond Huggies and a Marie Tash flat back screw earring in my 2nd hole.

For my earrings this is where I am landing

Supplier - Whiteflash. Should I look elsewhere?

Size ~1.5 TCW and under $5k preferably

Color - For earings how low can I go? I? N’y solitaire necklace from BG is a J but to me it looks colorless but also people aren’t super close to it ever since it’s on my neck.

Cut - assuming Ideal is most important if the CCC. Should I be willing to go down to very good?

Clarity - SI2 or better. Should I go higher?

Setting color - white gold or platinum? Leaning towards white gold solely due to the weight

Setting - 3 prong martini but wondering if I should see if they can do a flat back so it does stretch my ear hole. I want it as close to the ear as I hate the side view on baskets.

Backing - was leaning towards screw as I would like to be able to wear these 24/7 but based on my research I should be considering poussette instead as the screws can easily fall off and tear your holes along with not being comfortable. What is the most comfortable to sleep in? What happens if I get the poussette wet in the shower or in a pool?

Diamond choosing - should I pick the two diamonds on WF or let them choose. Seems to be cheaper when you let them choose but also assume I get stuck with lower quality diamonds?

Anything else I’m not thinking of? If anyone has any recommendations of diamonds, please share.

 

[Lookinagain]

Diamond comparison | Compare Diamonds to choose and buy the best one

Whiteflash gives you an excellent opportunity to compare diamonds to make a great deal. With diamond’s parameters provided, you can compare any detail.

www.whiteflash.com

You could take a look at this pair of J's from White Flash. Both say "additional clouds not shown" but they are ACA's. Other's should be able to comment if the clouds note would be an issue in ACA's. I'd be surprised if they were an issue but I'm not an expert on this.

If you think you ever want to upgrade, then I'd stick with WF because their upgrade policy is great and doesn't require a lot of extra spend.

It sounds like you aren't color sensitive and these fall into your size (slightly under) and price range. People aren't close to your ears just like they aren't close to your necklace so the color may be fine.

for settings I usually get white gold just because I get the 8 prong martinis but if you want 3 prong then the weight of platinum may not be an issue.

I'll let others comment on the backs. I hate screw backs. They rip up my ears. I use regular friction backs, a larger size, and I sleep in my earrings without issue. Others love the la poussettes so if you are worried about safety, maybe try those.

Oh and if you like them, put them on hold. There is limited inventory for your parameters.

 

[lizz1234]

Thanks for your feedback. The diamonds you chose are actually the same ones I was viewing yesterday and currently have in my cart. Hoping others on here can provide feedback

 

[MissGotRocks]

Thanks for your feedback. The diamonds you chose are actually the same ones I was viewing yesterday and currently have in my cart. Hoping others on here can provide feedback

If you are really interested, I would put them on hold. Lots of lurkers around that sometimes snatch things up!

 

[katyb]

Just a note about platinum vs. white gold for pierced earrings. If you have sensitive ears, the platinum is a better choice because it is hypoallergenic. The white gold is made of a mix of metals, some of which can irritate the ears of people who are sensitive.

 

[Wink]

I second your decision not to use screw backs. They were the most problematic of all post choices for me. The vast majority of clients of ours who developed ear infections did so while wearing screw back earrings. The larger size of the posts and the detritus that collects in the threads just encourage unpleasant reactions.

 

[Wink]

What happens if I get the poussette wet in the shower or in a pool?

The spring inside the La Pousette (French made) and the Guardian II style backs are subject to rusting if they are frequently getting wet and will eventually break. You will usually notice a roughness in function before they break, but you should be aware of the possibility.

I find the Guardian II style to be more comfortable to use than the La Pousette and many of my clients agreed with me. the trigger has a curved bend of approximately 90 degrees so you are pushing on a flat piece of metal instead of the narrow band of metal.

The photo below is courtesy of Stuller.

 

[AshleyMartinez]

Can the more experienced people give me advice on the size of the diamond for my wedding ring? Please


gold miner online

 

[katyb]

Can the more experienced people give me advice on the size of the diamond for my wedding ring? Please


gold miner online

The carat weight of the center diamond on an engagement ring depends largely upon the preference of the wearer, the size of the wearer's hand, the style of the ring, and the purchaser's budget. Some people are happy with a small .20 carat center stone. Others prefer a 5 carat center stone. And there are those of us that are in between. Generally, 1 carat is what you hear about most, but, again, the carat weight of center stones are all over the place.

That said, in my opinion, carat weight isn't the most important criterion for a center stone of an engagement ring. The quality of the cut is the most important. So If couldn't afford the cut I wanted in the carat I wanted, I would be willing to go down in carat weight so I could get the sparkliest, most brilliant cut diamond.

Many people who want a large center diamond but can't afford an earth-grown stone opt for a lab-grown diamond.

 

[MWM]

In addition to @Wink explanation, Mechanical clutch backs like Guardian II and La Pousette are also apt to collect makeup, body oils, ear wax etc. , bind up, and cease to function properly before rust kills the springs.

Heavy / monster white gold friction backs are still a better choice.

 

[lizz1234]

The spring inside the La Pousette (French made) and the Guardian II style backs are subject to rusting if they are frequently getting wet and will eventually break. You will usually notice a roughness in function before they break, but you should be aware of the possibility.

I find the Guardian II style to be more comfortable to use than the La Pousette and many of my clients agreed with me. the trigger has a curved bend of approximately 90 degrees so you are pushing on a flat piece of metal instead of the narrow band of metal.

The photo below is courtesy of Stuller.

This is very helpful information. Does Whiteflash sells these?

 

[Wink]

I would be extremely surprised if they don’t. You can go to WhiteFlash.com and ask.