Feedback on these Whiteflash 6-prong martini settings?

[ice empress]

After waiting nearly 3 weeks for my Whiteflash ACAs to be set in their standard 6-prong martini settings, I just received the pictures for approval (which I specifically requested because I did not feel that I could trust their workmanship 100% after several recent threads I've seen on Pricescope to that effect), and I must say, I am not wow'd... am I being too scrupulous?

My concerns are as follows:

1) The prongs seem a little large and I worry that they will overwhelm the diamonds and be "too obvious" whereas IMO they should not draw attention or be noticed. In fact, I made a point to request "delicate pointed claw prongs" yet they seem larger still than the stock pictures on their websites, as well as some of the prongs I've seen on other pricescope members' 6-prong martini settings (even those with smaller ctw than mine). For reference, my ACAs are 3.7ctw (each measuring 7.9mm).

The prongs are especially large when I compare them to other vendors like "Jewels by Grace" or Victor Canera (who set my engagement ring).

Not technically concerns, but observations of differences between my setting and the pictures on their website:

2) The "ring" between the prongs on the profile view is set a lot lower than in their example picture (i.e. it is nearly halfway down the height of the stone rather than ⅓ down and closer to the top)

3) Where the prongs meet at the base is quite different than in their example pictures

The prongs are what primarily bothers me... should they? Is it worth asking for a remake or is it a detail that won't transpire IRL?

The first two pictures attached show my setting in the top half, and their website photos in the bottom half.

The pictures after the initial two show previous 6-prong settings they've made for other Pricescopers for reference.

Thanks!!

 

[m-2-b]

Some of those inspiration pics are of my original WF martini settings (upgraded to 4.8 ctw ACA's) that I have had for several years now. I love wearing them as they are my staple earrings!

The WF settings are cast settings and are chosen based upon the size of your ACA's. Thus, each diamond may sit differently in the setting chosen.

WF has their version of "claw prong" settings which are not as sharp or thin as some of Victor Canera's claw prongs. I would not want thin, sharp claw prongs on my earring settings b/c they could get caught on my hair when wearing them.

I'm sure others will chime in with their experience as well!

 

[xxxxxx]

On your ears you won’t notice anything. To me they really look fine.
Yes obviously the workmanship can’t keep up with these stud settings: https://www.pricescope.com/communit...nters-jewels-by-grace-custom-settings.215121/


But this just is a different league of metalwork. I wouldn’t fault Whiteflash for that. Their specialty are the diamonds and not to make the most delicate and beautiful settings. There are specialty jewelers like VC and Erika Winters for that.

But I love your new studs. They are beautiful! And the settings also really look fine to me!

 

[headlight]

I think they are gorgeous - I think things often look bulky when viewed in blown up photos. Also, what was said is true: the size of the stones will create a variance from one diamond to another.
I have the WF 3 prong martinis and they are, as you said, quite “substantial” but I like it that they are: They feel secure, and also the mountings feel “worthy” of the diamonds they hold. I initially thought the mountings were more “bold” than I’ve had in the past, but all you see when I’m wearing them is the diamond.

 

[La2020]

I intend to purchase from WF for my next MBR...however reading the recent posts about WF's workmanship and a terrible personal encounter with JA's workmanship.. makes me really anxious about making another overseas purchase.

 

[La2020]

@ice empress could it be that a different team is handing your order?

My True Hearts purchase from JA is awesome, but the subsequent one is bad. I was told it bad one was done by a different "external" team due to the holiday peak.

 

[xxxxxx]

@ice empress could it be that a different team is handing your order?

My True Hearts purchase from JA is awesome, but the subsequent one is bad. I was told it bad one was done by a different "external" team due to the holiday peak.

If you want exquisite workmanship from a setting you should buy the diamond from Whiteflash and then have it sent to Victor Canera, Steven Kirsch or Erika Winters. They all specialize in creating beautiful jewelry pieces. Whiteflash specializes in beautiful diamonds.

 

[ice empress]

Some of those inspiration pics are of my original WF martini settings (upgraded to 4.8 ctw ACA's) that I have had for several years now. I love wearing them as they are my staple earrings!

The WF settings are cast settings and are chosen based upon the size of your ACA's. Thus, each diamond may sit differently in the setting chosen.

WF has their version of "claw prong" settings which are not as sharp or thin as some of Victor Canera's claw prongs. I would not want thin, sharp claw prongs on my earring settings b/c they could get caught on my hair when wearing them.

I'm sure others will chime in with their experience as well!

It’s interesting that their standard cast setting would create such different bases though... as you can see from the pictures, the base where the stems meet at a point is quite different in your own setting and the WF pics vs the settings created for me. I wonder why that is?

As for the claws, I agree that it’s better not to have them too sharp for the purposes of having hair caught. Rather, I wondered if they were too large overall rather than not pointy enough... but I’m hoping that it’s just because the picture is so magnified that it’s drawing my attention.

 

[ice empress]

On your ears you won’t notice anything. To me they really look fine.
Yes obviously the workmanship can’t keep up with these stud settings: https://www.pricescope.com/communit...nters-jewels-by-grace-custom-settings.215121/


But this just is a different league of metalwork. I wouldn’t fault Whiteflash for that. Their specialty are the diamonds and not to make the most delicate and beautiful settings. There are specialty jewelers like VC and Erika Winters for that.

But I love your new studs. They are beautiful! And the settings also really look fine to me!

Wow wow wow! That setting is just unbelievable!

You’re right to say that I shouldn't compare apples to pears... thanks for chiming in.

 

[ice empress]

I think they are gorgeous - I think things often look bulky when viewed in blown up photos. Also, what was said is true: the size of the stones will create a variance from one diamond to another.
I have the WF 3 prong martinis and they are, as you said, quite “substantial” but I like it that they are: They feel secure, and also the mountings feel “worthy” of the diamonds they hold. I initially thought the mountings were more “bold” than I’ve had in the past, but all you see when I’m wearing them is the diamond.

Thanks! That’s most helpful to know and reassuring. I do like the safety aspect of the bulkier larger prongs... but also thought I didn’t really need that because I have the extra security of having 6 prongs.

I’m sure you’re right that the bling factor will ultimately outshine and detract from the prongs.

 

[ice empress]

@ice empress could it be that a different team is handing your order?

My True Hearts purchase from JA is awesome, but the subsequent one is bad. I was told it bad one was done by a different "external" team due to the holiday peak.

Very interesting thought! I wouldn’t know but it certainly is possible... this could also explain how it could take so long to make a standard setting that came out looking so different than their advertised one and previously created ones (I.e. the base where the stems meet).

I suppose if you’re willing to make some concessions and ask for lots of photos before the item is shipped, it could be worth it still?

 

[ice empress]

If you want exquisite workmanship from a setting you should buy the diamond from Whiteflash and then have it sent to Victor Canera, Steven Kirsch or Erika Winters. They all specialize in creating beautiful jewelry pieces. Whiteflash specializes in beautiful diamonds.

That’s precisely what I did for the ACA I had set by VC, and I couldn’t have been more pleased with the outcome.

One of the confusing aspects in this case is how the setting came out looking different than their previously created ones and the ones on their website (I.e. the base where the stems come to a point)... especially if it’s created from a standard cast.

 

[xxxxxx]

That’s precisely what I did for the ACA I had set by VC, and I couldn’t have been more pleased with the outcome.

One of the confusing aspects in this case is how the setting came out looking different than their previously created ones and the ones on their website (I.e. the base where the stems come to a point)... especially if it’s created from a standard cast.

I know I love your VC Emilya! It’s so gorgeous

 

[ice empress]

I know I love your VC Emilya! It’s so gorgeous

Thanks!!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I think they have to cast based on the size of the diamonds, so each one may vary a little from another. I am confused as to which pictures are of your new studs. The top and second picture look like two different pairs.

All I can say in general is that I've had several pairs of studs from WF and have never considered them to be anything but well made. The prongs are not the skinny claws, and I'd hate those because hair would get caught in them. I think their earring prongs are exactly right to be secure to hold the stone and to not catch on hair or lint, etc. I have had platinum ones made that were over $1000, but I am betting Yssie's beautiful settings were more like $4-5k (or possibly higher). I won't pay that for stud settings since all I can see are the diamonds! Seriously, as far as the prongs go, I wouldn't worry. The magnified images can be scary when you aren't used to what they look like in real life, as others have said. But I need to understand which pictures are actually of your earrings to really comment on the rest of the setting.

 

[kenny]

My priority is to not lose a diamond.
All other things being equal, thicker prongs are stronger than thinner prongs.

But zillions of women love those skinny prongs and those dainty-looking 1.5 mm bands with melee diamonds set into 3 sides.
Then they whine and blame the vendor when diamonds fall out or the ring bends.
Vendors are stuck between a rock and a hard place since their competitors will make settings that are less safe for holding diamonds.

Me, after paying for diamonds I really don't want to lose them - so the stronger the setting the better.
Priorities.
Clearly people vary, so some have other priorities.

 

[ice empress]

I think they have to cast based on the size of the diamonds, so each one may vary a little from another. I am confused as to which pictures are of your new studs. The top and second picture look like two different pairs.

All I can say in general is that I've had several pairs of studs from WF and have never considered them to be anything but well made. The prongs are not the skinny claws, and I'd hate those because hair would get caught in them. I think their earring prongs are exactly right to be secure to hold the stone and to not catch on hair or lint, etc. I have had platinum ones made that were over $1000, but I am betting Yssie's beautiful settings were more like $4-5k (or possibly higher). I won't pay that for stud settings since all I can see are the diamonds! Seriously, as far as the prongs go, I wouldn't worry. The magnified images can be scary when you aren't used to what they look like in real life, as others have said. But I need to understand which pictures are actually of your earrings to really comment on the rest of the setting.

In the first 2 pictures enclosed, my original setting/diamonds take up the top half of the split pictures. See below for clarification:

 

[ice empress]

My priority is to not lose a diamond.
All other things being equal, thicker prongs are stronger than thinner prongs.

But zillions of women love those skinny prongs and those dainty-looking 1.5 mm bands with melee diamonds set into 3 sides.
Then they whine and blame the vendor when diamonds fall out or the ring bends.
Vendors are stuck between a rock and a hard place since their competitors will make settings that are less safe for holding diamonds.

Me, after paying for diamonds I really don't want to lose them - so the stronger the setting the better.
Priorities.
Clearly people vary, so some have other priorities.

Absolutely true. Security is still paramount... I was just hoping for a little less overwhelmingly-present prongs (granted the photos are magnified, I get that) and I logicized that 6 prongs were already extra security.

 

[ice empress]

UPDATE:

Whiteflash graciously offered to rework the prongs, without any prompting from me. In fact, I gave them the O-K to ship the studs, since I don't like being "difficult" and convinced myself I could get over the prongs, but @Texas Leaguer clearly read the thread and had the team contact me to ask if I would be ok with a slight delay to allow them the time to tweak the prongs! Thank you! A+++ for customer service!!

Here are comparison pics of the revised prongs and the original prongs. As you can see from my crude red circles, they're just a wee bit shorter. Just enough in my opinion to make them less large and obvious, yet not so small and dainty that I would worry about integrity.

 

[MissGotRocks]

UPDATE:

Whiteflash graciously offered to rework the prongs, without any prompting from me. In fact, I gave them the O-K to ship the studs, since I don't like being "difficult" and convinced myself I could get over the prongs, but @Texas Leaguer clearly read the thread and had the team contact me to ask if I would be ok with a slight delay to allow them the time to tweak the prongs! Thank you! A+++ for customer service!!

Here are comparison pics of the revised prongs and the original prongs. As you can see from my crude red circles, they're just a wee bit shorter. Just enough in my opinion to make them less large and obvious, yet not so small and dainty that I would worry about integrity.

WF for the win!!! So glad this worked out for you; they really work hard to make their customers happy. That level of customer service really makes a difference. Can’t wait to see ear shots of your gorgeous new studs!