Hey guys (and girls)... would like some stud input, please.

[Autumn in New England]

Hi all,

I posted previously about a 1.24ct./7mm OEC I already had. Now I'm in search of a mate to make studs. My first purchase was a failure (from Ivy & Rose, though Sara was lovely), and now I'm working with Adam of OWD. Fingers crossed we can find a suitable match. In any event, I've owned princess studs in the past, but this will probably be my one and only pair for the foreseeable future, so I want them to be at their best. In light of that, which type of mounting would you prefer? Any antique styles you might recommend instead? They will be platinum. A seemingly simple decision, but I keep going back and forth.

Many thanks!

Autumn


Milgrain bezel:



Six claw prongs:

 

[mustangchi]

I have bought OEC studs from Adam and they are in six claw prongs, I love them that way. But I really don't think you can go wrong either way it's just personal preference. But OWD prong setting is really nice if you decide to get him to set for you

 

[Niel]

i will be following I also have some stud questions but I am more concerned about drooping- sure get wide backs we know this - but do tried some martinis on and they say so good- but do I need to worry about stretch int my piercings - are the baskets going to be too heavy no matter how thin and wide I make them??

Slight threadjack but I have similar questions. Lol

 

[Mjay]

I personally love the look of the milgrain bezel but considering you’re going with platinum and sizable stones; I think six claws will be lighter and more comfortable. It really depends on the rest of the design though. I had a pair of bezel set studs years ago (around 1ctw) and they were ridiculously uncomfortable because the setting was so bulky and heavy.

 

[Niel]

Plus how safe is a 3 prong martini reaaaally

 

[Niel]

I would want the optimal light performance so I would not bezel

 

[Autumn in New England]

I have bought OEC studs from Adam and they are in six claw prongs, I love them that way. But I really don't think you can go wrong either way it's just personal preference. But OWD prong setting is really nice if you decide to get him to set for you

He offered, so I'm definitely going to have him do it. Thank you! That brings up a good point... I'm sure he'll have suggestions too.

 

[Autumn in New England]

i will be following I also have some stud questions but I am more concerned about drooping- sure get wide backs we know this - but do tried some martinis on and they say so good- but do I need to worry about stretch int my piercings - are the baskets going to be too heavy no matter how thin and wide I make them??

Slight threadjack but I have similar questions. Lol

All good questions (and something I didn't consider, TBH). I was going to go with screwbacks for added security. I wonder what the droop level is on them? lol

 

[seaurchin]

Autumn wants some stud input hee hee.

Er, I'll just see myself out now...

 

[Autumn in New England]

I personally love the look of the milgrain bezel but considering you’re going with platinum and sizable stones; I think six claws will be lighter and more comfortable. It really depends on the rest of the design though. I had a pair of bezel set studs years ago (around 1ctw) and they were ridiculously uncomfortable because the setting was so bulky and heavy.

My thoughts exactly! If I went with the milgrain bezel, it would be an open design (not the typical fully enclosed "box"). Something like this...




I like them to nestle into my ear fat. lol I don't want them sitting up too far.

 

[Niel]

Well droopiness has less to do with the security of the backs but more-so the diameter. You want them to be thicc boys.
I have had screw backs in the past but the posts are thicker than your average. So at this point I’m going to use the locking backs or la pousette. La pousette would require specific posts (if I remember) but the locking kind don’t.

Droopiness is also related to the head - but you want a martini type connection the the posts so that will help. Though some say that stretches out your holes overtime.

 

[Niel]

My thoughts exactly! If I went with the milgrain bezel, it would be an open design (not the typical fully enclosed "box"). Something like this...




I like them to nestle into my ear fat. lol I don't want them sitting up too far.

I still think that’ll hinder some light return. Some old cuts can be bezeled and handle it better than others.

 

[Autumn in New England]

Autumn wants some stud input hee hee.

Er, I'll just see myself out now...

I'd prefer this stud... but will have to comfort myself with diamonds instead.

 

[Autumn in New England]

Plus how safe is a 3 prong martini reaaaally

I am not a fan of the look of 3 prongs (though I do like the martini style). And, yes, I agree... they probably don't offer the best security either. I'm really partial to the 6 prong look myself.

 

[Autumn in New England]

Well droopiness has less to do with the security of the backs but more-so the diameter. You want them to be thicc boys.
I have had screw backs in the past but the posts are thicker than your average. So at this point I’m going to use the locking backs or la pousette. La pousette would require specific posts (if I remember) but the locking kind don’t.

Droopiness is also related to the head - but you want a martini type connection the the posts so that will help. Though some say that stretches out your holes overtime.

All salient points. So much to consider...

 

[Niel]

I am not a fan of the look of 3 prongs (though I do like the martini style). And, yes, I agree... they probably don't offer the best security either. I'm really partial to the 6 prong look myself.

I never really got it til I tried some on and I was like oh yes it’s just diamonds on my ear.

 

[Autumn in New England]

I still think that’ll hinder some light return. Some old cuts can be bezeled and handle it better than others.

I do not own any bezeled stones (other than cabs), and I'm always reading conflicting opinions on whether bezels hinder performance. Some say yes, which makes sense. But others point out that performance is based on light entering through the table/crown, so it shouldn't matter. But I haven't put it to practical use yet myself.

 

[Autumn in New England]

I never really got it til I tried some on and I was like oh yes it’s just diamonds on my ear.

Ahhh... sort of the "naked" look. A floating diamond on the lobe. I can see the appeal.

 

[Autumn in New England]

Looks like there's no comparison in terms of the votes at this point!

 

[Niel]

I do not own any bezeled stones (other than cabs), and I'm always reading conflicting opinions on whether bezels hinder performance. Some say yes, which makes sense. But others point out that performance is based on light entering through the table/crown, so it shouldn't matter. But I haven't put it to practical use yet myself.

A well cut mrb will be negligibly effected. Old cuts and fancies are another story. Those can be but it depends

 

[Autumn in New England]

A well cut mrb will be negligibly effected. Old cuts and fancies are another story. Those can be but it depends

Yeah, more modern ideal cuts can pretty much withstand any type of mounting. Actually, that's been my main issue in finding a match to my current stone. According to Adam, it is exceptionally brilliant for an OEC. Others seem to be dull in comparison, and I just cannot justify spending any amount of money on a good match that I don't actually like as a stand alone. This is harder than I thought it'd be, Niel.

 

[seaurchin]

I vote for four prongs because it's more secure than three prongs but still lets as much diamond show as possible.

 

[Autumn in New England]

I vote for four prongs because it's more secure than three prongs but still lets as much diamond show as possible.

What do you think of the 4 double prong look, seaurchin? Naturally, it's not the more minimal look you mentioned (which is definitely a consideration). But it's kind of a fancy take on the traditional look.

 

[Niel]

Yeah, more modern ideal cuts can pretty much withstand any type of mounting. Actually, that's been my main issue in finding a match to my current stone. According to Adam, it is exceptionally brilliant for an OEC. Others seem to be dull in comparison, and I just cannot justify spending any amount of money on a good match that I don't actually like as a stand alone. This is harder than I thought it'd be, Niel.

Well it’s good you have a good example of an oec. Bezeling could be fine. I guess I wouldn’t want to spend the money just to find out if I like other setting styles equally.

 

[seaurchin]

What do you think of the 4 double prong look, seaurchin? Naturally, it's not the more minimal look you mentioned (which is definitely a consideration). But it's kind of a fancy take on the traditional look.

I guess I just don't think of prongs as adding to the look when they'd be covering up diamond. But I can also see why you want OECs to have something more...

ETA: What about some kind of removable antique-look jackets?

 

[Niel]

What do you think of the 4 double prong look, seaurchin? Naturally, it's not the more minimal look you mentioned (which is definitely a consideration). But it's kind of a fancy take on the traditional look.

I think that squares off the stones taking away from the round-ness.

 

[seaurchin]

I guess I just don't think of prongs as adding to the look when they'd be covering up diamond. But I can also see why you want OECs to have something more...

ETA: What about some kind of removable antique-look jackets?

So now I googled "antique diamond stud earrings" and see a lot of them that DO have more than four prongs. So... don't listen to me haha.

 

[Autumn in New England]

Well it’s good you have a good example of an oec. Bezeling could be fine. I guess I wouldn’t want to spend the money just to find out if I like other setting styles equally.

And I also have no idea what the cut quality is going to be on the matched stone. Finding a comparatively bright OEC has been the biggest challenge, by far. All other tangible aspects have definitely been attainable (and that's what I thought would be more difficult). Ah well... we shall see, I suppose.

 

[Niel]

 

[Autumn in New England]

I guess I just don't think of prongs as adding to the look when they'd be covering up diamond. But I can also see why you want OECs to have something more...

ETA: What about some kind of removable antique-look jackets?

Yeah, I'm a prong-lover. In fact, Inken has had to tell me to tone down "prong city." lol But I may have to reassess here, because you and Niel both make excellent points. I did consider a possible halo jacket, but I guess in the end I just really like the look of a true stud.