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Diamond studs - practical size?

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dantm

Rough_Rock
Joined
Sep 20, 2009
Messages
9
I am looking into getting a 4 ct tw set of earrings for my wife - so basically 2 ct per stone. I have been doing research and I found in a bunch of places that anything larger than 1.5 ct droops on the ear? Is this true or does it depend on the mounting, whether it's push back, screw, etc.?

Thanks.
 
It does depend somewhat on the mounting, and on the wearer's ear lobes. I recently tried a few different styles, and all else being equal, some drooped and some didn't.
 
There are lots of things you can do to prevent drooping. I have 3.8 ctw studs and I did two things. First, I had settings made for them that have wide, flat bottoms (the part that sits on your ear). Second, I wear backs that are specifically designed to eliminate droop. I also sometimes wear a clear plastic disc between the earring and the back, on the backside of my ear. Some people like little stickers called "Bling Dots." I personally don't like them, preferring the clear discs.

The flesh in our ear lobes change over time and as we get older, our lobes lose their ability to hold studs up in the same way. I'm 48 and earrings that used to not droop on me in my 30's, now do unless I wear backs designed for no "droopage."
 
dantm said:
I am looking into getting a 4 ct tw set of earrings for my wife - so basically 2 ct per stone. I have been doing research and I found in a bunch of places that anything larger than 1.5 ct droops on the ear? Is this true or does it depend on the mounting, whether it's push back, screw, etc.?

Thanks.
Click to expand...

Hi! After years of wanting to upgrade, about 4 years ago I upgraded my studs to 4 ct tw. While they are beautiful, they are heavy! I have changed the backs several times so they stay straight, but they do drop a bit (I have tried every single backing made with my jeweler). He told me I wouldn’t love them as much as my smaller studs (I had 2.2 ct tw). The 2 ct per earlobe feels heavy to me. Also, as they are bigger I cannot sleep with them bc they bother me and prick me on back of neck and I cannot wear them daily (vacation etc due to concerns/safety)
If she can live with a smaller stone, I highly recommend it. While I do love my studs, in hindsight I should have stayed with my smaller or only upgraded .5 each.
Also during covid, my large studs get stuck with the masks — I ended up getting 1 ct tw that I wear often and can sleep with. I hope this helps.
 
I have 3ctw and would love to have 4; I have big earlobes. My studs don't droop but I do have a pair of halo earrings that are heavy and they do. I recommend jumbo backs and they prevent drooping.
 
I use large silicon backs from amazon and they keep them up perfectly!13658D84-8406-4905-A132-C4110B804735.jpeg
 
Didn't read through all the replies but I saw people said you need larger backs, which is correct. I also wanted to say I would not do screw backs. They are a pain in the neck and they also wear down over time. Get regular posts and nice large push backs. Insure the studs.
 
mrshermess said:
Hi! After years of wanting to upgrade, about 4 years ago I upgraded my studs to 4 ct tw. While they are beautiful, they are heavy! I have changed the backs several times so they stay straight, but they do drop a bit (I have tried every single backing made with my jeweler). He told me I wouldn’t love them as much as my smaller studs (I had 2.2 ct tw). The 2 ct per earlobe feels heavy to me. Also, as they are bigger I cannot sleep with them bc they bother me and prick me on back of neck and I cannot wear them daily (vacation etc due to concerns/safety)
If she can live with a smaller stone, I highly recommend it. While I do love my studs, in hindsight I should have stayed with my smaller or only upgraded .5 each.
Also during covid, my large studs get stuck with the masks — I ended up getting 1 ct tw that I wear often and can sleep with. I hope this helps.
Click to expand...

When I was at HW admiring their studs (didn’t buy, alas), I noticed the setting was designed to prevent droop. The baskets were tilted up. Genius. I wonder if this may work for you，
 
I never realized that my lobes tilt forward and, combined with the depth of my studs makes them always clang on my phone screen. I'm certain that my mall piercings of the '80's are not even, so my studs are pointing in slightly different directions. I always wore French hooks before and never realized it till I had studs.

Also, if I am wearing my Beats headphones, my ears always hurt with the press of the pads against the studs. If I'm flying, I'm definitely wearing my studs, as they are safest in my ears rather than in my purse! For reference, my studs are only 2.10ct tw, so they don't protrude as much as what you are looking at.

Do look into Guardian backs(and insurance) for security, she can wear the plastic discs between lobe and backs to counteract any drooping. If you're not trying to surprise her, I'd also recommend trying on various sizes and settings if possible, as well as considering buying some fake studs in the size you settle on so she can trial how they work in her daily activities.

Have fun shopping!
 
dantm said:
I am looking into getting a 4 ct tw set of earrings for my wife - so basically 2 ct per stone. I have been doing research and I found in a bunch of places that anything larger than 1.5 ct droops on the ear? Is this true or does it depend on the mounting, whether it's push back, screw, etc.?

Thanks.
Click to expand...

My avatar shows 1.5 carats each I use large push backs and they are fine. My only suggestion is to be sure she has enough earl lobe . Sounds funny but I have to hike my earring up on my left ear daay otherwise you can see my large push back as my left piercing as a little lower then the right. I saw this because 2 carat takes up a lot of ear real estate and you want to be sure she has the lobe space. The practicality size of large studs. This is my right ear.
IMG_1430.PNG
 
I have gigantic earlobes and my 3ctw studs (in a halo setting) sit perfectly fine without drooping. I had the opportunity to try on some 8ctw earrings recently and they also sat perfectly fine in my ears because they were flat backed (and looked amazing and just the perfect amount of coverage, fml).

I think if you have a basket setting instead of a martini setting and you have tight and large backs (I don’t have a preference between push or screw) you’ll be fine.
 
I have tiny earlobes and I find half a carat each lobe is Ok. A full carat would be better though. But not more.
 
Since the weight in front of and behind the ear lobe should match, have them set a 2 ct diamond onto the back also.
It won't be visible and it doubles the price but at least the earrings wont' droop.
Another reason this is a great idea is you don't have to worry about color or clarity of the back-diamonds.

:mrgreen::Up_to_something:
 
RunningwithScissors said:
There are lots of things you can do to prevent drooping. I have 3.8 ctw studs and I did two things. First, I had settings made for them that have wide, flat bottoms (the part that sits on your ear). Second, I wear backs that are specifically designed to eliminate droop. I also sometimes wear a clear plastic disc between the earring and the back, on the backside of my ear. Some people like little stickers called "Bling Dots." I personally don't like them, preferring the clear discs.

The flesh in our ear lobes change over time and as we get older, our lobes lose their ability to hold studs up in the same way. I'm 48 and earrings that used to not droop on me in my 30's, now do unless I wear backs designed for no "droopage."
Click to expand...

Where did you get the discs from, please?
 
diamondyes said:
Where did you get the discs from, please?
Click to expand...

:wavey: Hi Diamondyes!

I use three different products, each have pros and cons. Here they are:

These are the ones I use most often with my larger diamond studs. They make the studs look really perky:

Levears – Levears | Earring Lifts

levears.com levears.com

These are the ones I use most often with medium-sized Victoria studs and pearl studs, they work better with medium to small size earrings than they do with larger sized ones:
chrysme.la

Chrysmela Catch Earring Backs

The only earring back that fits, locks and lifts. Add discs for extra lift.
chrysme.la chrysme.la

These are the ones I use in addition to regular earring backs (they go in between the back of your earlobe and the earring back/fastener no mater the type of back that came with your earring (can use for regular posts and push backs, omega backs, la pousette type posts, etc.). I don't know if this was the brand I purchased or not, so read the reviews and select one with a good wide post hole, some have holes that are too small. Different brands have different size diameters too, so select something that fits your earlobe size and stud size:

Hope this helps!
 
Last edited:
kenny said:
Since the weight in front of and behind the ear lobe should match, have them set a 2 ct diamond onto the back also.
It won't be visible and it doubles the price but at least the earrings wont' droop.
Another reason this is a great idea is you don't have to worry about color or clarity of the back-diamonds.

:mrgreen::Up_to_something:
Click to expand...

With the added benefit of you'll sparkle whether you're coming or going!
 
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