Help with questions on Martini set studs PLEASE!!

[So Excited]

Hello Everyone,
I have an interest in a pair of 3-prong martini set studs, but unfortunately after doing a search and reading through all the past threads my questions are still not answered... If anyone can answer any of these questions please sooth my anxiety and help me out:

1. What size (ct in each ear ) is the smallest that you would go to make sure you are able to fully appreciate the beauty of the setting?

2. Is it "a waste" to pay for the martini setting if you are going smaller than a 1ct in each ear?

3. Can you wear them 24/7 or will they stretch your ear holes out? (does this also depend on the size you go)

4. Are the Leon prongs that much more delicate than the WF if price isnt a concern?

5. Does Leon or WF have "ready made" in under 1ct each?

6. Are "ready made" any less quality when you are looking at a quality jeweler (leon or WF) than hand picking the 2 stones and purchasing the setting separate?

7. Will RB look weird in my ears with the e-ring being 3-stone all princess cut?

Any other tips in choosing would be AWESOME!

Thank You Everyone, you guys are GREAT!

 

[oneam]

Hi,


1. What size (ct in each ear ) is the smallest that you would go to make sure you are able to fully appreciate the beauty of the setting?
I have .33 in each, and this is great for me, and I can see and appreciate the setting in that size, but then, I came up from like .30 ctw., so if you are accustomed to larger you will want larger. I have had mine over a year and they still seem big to me when I put them on. I think 1 - 1.5 ctw would be beautiful.

2. Is it "a waste" to pay for the martini setting if you are going smaller than a 1ct in each ear?
See above, I don''t think so at all, but I am not accustomed to larger studs.

3. Can you wear them 24/7 or will they stretch your ear holes out? (does this also depend on the size you go)
I have read mixed opinions on this. I think due to the design/shape, it''s a possibility for some. I don''t wear mine 24/7, as I wear hoops alot as well, but I think you may be able to prevent this by not wearing them w/ the back on too tight, so that the point of the setting doesn''t dig in.

4. Are the Leon prongs that much more delicate than the WF if price isnt a concern?
I like the little round prongs on the WF, because I like them to show, but if you love the Leon prongs and price isn''t a concern (and I would think these could only be so expensive) go for the Leons.

5. Does Leon or WF have "ready made" in under 1ct each?
WF does. Not sure about Leon, I think his stock changes regularly so check his site.

6. Are "ready made" any less quality when you are looking at a quality jeweler (leon or WF) than hand picking the 2 stones and purchasing the setting separate?
WF uses "expert selection" which is probably better than most jewelers'' stock, but they are not ACA''s and not eligible for upgrade. Not sure about Leon.

7. Will RB look weird in my ears with the e-ring being 3-stone all princess cut?
I don''t think so at all, no.

 

[geckodani]

oneam pretty much covered it.

I''ve got .25tcw in stock martinis and I love them, even though they are wee. I have slept in them and have no problem with them stretching out my holes. Not sure if Brian Gavin has them ready set to go, but I know I got mine really quickly when I ordered them, so you might want to check them out as well.

 

[So Excited]

Thank you ladies soo much, I appreciate the input so much.

I really would like a small set (like smaller than the .30 even) do you think that I will be able to see the profile of the diamond with them being so small and the setting metal covering so much (I''m assuming this.... ) I didn''t see any small sets on Leons site ready made and would like to be able to get the sleeves later as an upgrade... Do they make sleeves this small?

 

[neatfreak]

Date: 12/22/2009 1:31:48 PM
Author: So Excited
Thank you ladies soo much, I appreciate the input so much.

I really would like a small set (like smaller than the .30 even) do you think that I will be able to see the profile of the diamond with them being so small and the setting metal covering so much (I'm assuming this.... ) I didn't see any small sets on Leons site ready made and would like to be able to get the sleeves later as an upgrade... Do they make sleeves this small?

I doubt you will be able to see the profile at all honestly. Part of the thing about martini studs is that they "nestle" in your ear and thus you don't see much of the setting besides the top of it.

Leon doesnt' really do "ready made" for the most part except for a few select pieces he has for sale on his site as far as I know. He has a few earrings but it looks like the "stock" ones are pretty big and the settings alone cost $1500. He's a custom jeweler mostly so it's worth it to give him a call if you want. I don't think it's worth it for this size especially IMO. I would check out Brian Gavin-his prongs are beautiful as well.

 

[bstraszheim]

I have a shade under a 1/4 carat in each ear and love the martini setting. I think it''s absolutely worth it, and I love how it nestles in the ear and doesn''t sit up high! Definitely worth it!

 

[geckodani]

Date: 12/22/2009 1:55:04 PM
Author: neatfreak

Date: 12/22/2009 1:31:48 PM
Author: So Excited
Thank you ladies soo much, I appreciate the input so much.

I really would like a small set (like smaller than the .30 even) do you think that I will be able to see the profile of the diamond with them being so small and the setting metal covering so much (I'm assuming this.... ) I didn't see any small sets on Leons site ready made and would like to be able to get the sleeves later as an upgrade... Do they make sleeves this small?

I doubt you will be able to see the profile at all honestly. Part of the thing about martini studs is that they 'nestle' in your ear and thus you don't see much of the setting besides the top of it.

Leon doesnt' really do 'ready made' for the most part except for a few select pieces he has for sale on his site as far as I know. He has a few earrings but it looks like the 'stock' ones are pretty big and the settings alone cost $1500. He's a custom jeweler mostly so it's worth it to give him a call if you want. I don't think it's worth it for this size especially IMO. I would check out Brian Gavin-his prongs are beautiful as well.

Yup, once they are in, they snuggle in right and tight. Here are my itty bitty's (.125 each). https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/brian-gavin-diamonds-25-ctw-martini-studs.115355/

You can see a bit of profile when they are loose, but not so much when they are in! I thinkg BGD can make sleeves that small as well.

Can't see much of the profile...

ETA: Those are stock settings, not handmade. And no, I don't wear them both in one ear It was for picture purposes.

 

[So Excited]

Wow, thank you so much for the input on the smaller size setting and also the pics of the itty bittys. I''m not a big earring person so I just want something small and pretty. (not that the large ones aren''t absolutely beautiful, I just can see them in my ears..)

Sooo, I guess the question is.. Does it make a difference on the setting between basket and martini when looking at something this small? I really wanted to see the profile, but thank you soooooo much for the pics becuase now I can see that it really can''t be seen. I can understand the difference when looking at much larger stones to prevent the drooping, but with such a delicate stone I shouldn''t have that problem either way I set them right?

The more I learn (and since I''m looking at small stones) I probably would be a little crazy to spend so much on the Leon setting with such a miniature diamond..

 

[neatfreak]

Date: 12/22/2009 3:24:40 PM
Author: So Excited
Wow, thank you so much for the input on the smaller size setting and also the pics of the itty bittys. I''m not a big earring person so I just want something small and pretty. (not that the large ones aren''t absolutely beautiful, I just can see them in my ears..)


Sooo, I guess the question is.. Does it make a difference on the setting between basket and martini when looking at something this small? I really wanted to see the profile, but thank you soooooo much for the pics becuase now I can see that it really can''t be seen. I can understand the difference when looking at much larger stones to prevent the drooping, but with such a delicate stone I shouldn''t have that problem either way I set them right?


The more I learn (and since I''m looking at small stones) I probably would be a little crazy to spend so much on the Leon setting with such a miniature diamond..

Assuming you are buying a nice delicate setting I don''t think it makes much difference whether you go martini or not. For *me* though basket settings (I have w-prong from Whiteflash) are MUCH more comfortable to wear all the time. The martinis dig into my ears. So something to consider if you plan on wearing these earrings all the time.

 

[So Excited]

Thank you for the tip neatfreak, I will have to check into the W settings... I definately want to plan on wearing them pretty much 24/7 so comfort is VERY important. Do you have any pics/earshots of yours?

 

[Bella_mezzo]

Neatfreak, Not to threadjack, but I''d love to see ear shots of your studs too. I am looking for my first pair of diamond earrings

and am trying to decide between studs or leverbacks. I want to wear them 24-7 and would love it if I could sleep in them too

so I want to make sure they''re comfortable.

 

[artdecogirl]

Hello So excited, I have been wearing a pair of 1ctw martini studs for about a year and a half now and have only taken them off for cleaning and for a few events I wore some dangleys for. I still love them! I do not wear them tight, I leave them with the backs just in that groove thing so they still show the setting, when they are in tight you can''t see the setting and I think that is when you have issues with the stretching. I have a friend that has some 2ctw she had custom settings done with exta long posts and she wears the regular threaded backs then behind that she wears the little clear rubber earring backs so she won''t lose them..
One thing to note with the 3 prong my jeweler advised me to be prompt with my cleaning/checks just because if they get loose you don''t have the security of a 4 or 6 prong and risk losing your stone. Good luck in your search!

 

[gailrmv]

I have about 1/3 carat in each ear in martini settings. I wear them most of the time and haven''t had any problem with comfort or with it stretching my ear hole. Someday I hope to have bigger ones but I feel this is a very good size for the price. In other words, for it to be noticeably bigger I''d have to spend a whole lot more. Mine are from Whiteflash and I was very happy with the whole experience. When I got mine, the martini setting was just about the same price as the basket setting. I like how the martini settles into the ear instead of sticking out, so it was an easy decision for me.

 

[neatfreak]

Date: 12/22/2009 7:04:17 PM
Author: So Excited
Thank you for the tip neatfreak, I will have to check into the W settings... I definately want to plan on wearing them pretty much 24/7 so comfort is VERY important. Do you have any pics/earshots of yours?

For those who asked here are some pics (not great ones). They are THE most comfortable earrings ever. I wear them almost 24/7 and don't regret going 4 prong at all. I had a pair of martini earrings before this and they really dug into my ears.

I like the w-prong because they are more delicate than the standard 4 prong studs but don't dig into my ears.

https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/my-ps-gift-earrings-are-here-aca-studs-in-w-prong-settings.106195/

 

[So Excited]

Does anyone know that smallest size studs that you can get that are able to put a sleeve around later?

 

[that_someone_special]

I''m confused... a bezel?

was it someone that said that .10 was the smallest that... cr@p.... bgd (?) would do?

 

[So Excited]

Date: 12/23/2009 11:03:40 AM
Author: swedish bean
I''m confused... a bezel?

was it someone that said that .10 was the smallest that... cr@p.... bgd (?) would do?

Thank you Swedish Bean, I''m sorry.. I meant "jacket"

 

[Bella_mezzo]

NeatFreak,

Your earrings are fantastic. I really wanted bezel set leverbacks with a jump ring so they moved, but now I am torn b/c your W prongs are stunning. Thanks for the link and congrats on your twins'' birthday. a hectic and joyful year I am sure