Lab Diamond Studs advice needed!

[emmiesweetie]

New here and NEW to diamonds (except the beautiful vintage engagement ring my husband put on my finger in 2003!). I'm looking for advice on earrings. I'd like these to be my "forever earrings"- and I'd like them for daily wear. I'm really outdoorsy, active, and generally very low-maintenance and yet I can't help but want some diamond studs after all these years! I want earrings I can wear every day and love. I love my vintage ring (probably 1940s)it is platinum, .75 stone in the middle, "european cut," G color, VS, flanked by 8 tiny stones.

So....

My husband got me lab-grown, cushion cut (we thought this would look "vintage-y"), 1ctw in platinum with basket, four-prong, screwback settings. I'm returning them. The first thing was that the screw back settings felt truly awful to put in and take out. The second problem was that they were just not as white and sparkly as I had hoped. And the third and final problem was that I thought they projected out too far and so I saw more metal than I wanted.

I am *only* looking for lab-grown and I *need* platinum due to allergies. I have small and sensitive piercings. My first impulse is to go for round brilliant studs with martini settings. My main worry is that they will irritate my small, sensitive piercings. I also like 6 and 8 prong settings, but they seem hard to find in platinum for an affordable price. We have 2 kids about to start college and are behind on retirement saving, so I we are not able to afford anything too expensive.

I'm OK with going smaller than 1ctw, as long as they are white and sparkly. The 1ctw looks great in my ear, and anything bigger wouldn't suit me personally. I *really* value comfort, and I'm not a fan of seeing a lot of platinum. I wish I didn't have allergies, b/c white gold is more affordable and more sellers have white gold/lab grown settings. I don't understand why many places don't put lab grown in platinum.

I'm really *stupid* about diamonds, but I am really nerdy about research, so I've fallen into a rabbit hole..... if any one can rescue me from it, I would appreciate it!

 

[tyty333]

What is your budget?

 

[emmiesweetie]

Not too much! I'd like to spend less than 700. So that eliminates a lot of options, I am sure. I don't think I am too picky, though. I mean, really, I don't think it would take much to impress me. I want them to be comfortable and pretty. I think I've started to do too much research, and now I feel stuck.

 

[dk168]

I would advise getting a pair of studs that can be worn with a pair of compatible earring jackets in case you would like to bling up for more formal occasions.

DK

 

[lucythedog]

I am
Not sure if Alex Parks does platinum, but he often has 6 prong settings. I agree - 6 and 8 prong settings are not easy to find!

 

[0515vision]

I would absolutely reach out to Alex Park via DM. If they do platinum, they’ll be able to say what carat weight they can accommodate.

And I agree - screw backs are painful!

 

[concun]

I am not sure if you are allergic to silicone but you would consider to have the back in silicone to save some $ and get it in platinum later.

 

[emmiesweetie]

Thanks so much for your generous replies!

I decided to order 2 loose diamonds (did that last night, and I'm so excited! LG652462469 + LG65047861 IGI certificate numbers) . I realized I would get better quality diamonds for my $ doing it this way rather than presets at my price point. I couldn't spend forever looking, but I think I did well for my budget! I hope... considering I know very little about this. I paid a hair over 400 for the pair.

I also spoke with a reputable jeweler in town who did a beautiful job on a small repair on my vintage engagement ring. They said they would be happy to work with me on a platinum setting of my choice. And, the pricing is great! I can get the settings + labor for around 200. Backings will be extra, but I'll take the tip on silicone!

SO--

Jeweler pointed me to a 3 prong basket (not martini) for me to consider if I am concerned about my piercings. That sounded appealing! I'm considering that.

Does anyone know anything about the 3 prong basket? Advantages/disadvantages?

Also: with the Martini setting, is the only reason it sits "close to the lobe" b/c it is jammed into the piercing? Or is it simply that the setting itself doesn't project as much?

And: with the 6 wire basket (which the jeweler said was available for me, but a little more money), do you see too much metal? And, does it reduce the sparkle?

Thanks so much! You are all so helpful. I'm just afraid I'll get too into diamonds with this forum, lol!

 

[emmiesweetie]

I would advise getting a pair of studs that can be worn with a pair of compatible earring jackets in case you would like to bling up for more formal occasions.

DK

Never thought of that. I looked them up last night and was a little confused about how they work. They really do look pretty, though.

 

[dk168]

Never thought of that. I looked them up last night and was a little confused about how they work. They really do look pretty, though.

Earring jackets are effectively interchangeable halos with compatible studs.

Not all stud settings are compatible with earring jackets. Hence my advice to buy studs that can be worn with compatible jackets.

I would advise buying the studs from the likes of White Flash as they have compatible earring jackets that can be purchased at a later date. They can make a pair for you if they don't have any in stock.

There was a thread not long ago about Martini type stud settings do not go well with earring jackets. Not sure what had happened there, however, it is worth finding that thread and have a read to form your own opinion.

For more casual days, just wear the studs on their own; and wear them with the jackets to add more bling and size for dressier occasions.

DK

 

[0515vision]

I think the look of the number of prongs will depend on the size of the studs. Will the baskets have a flat bottom? If so, they can sit on your lobe as opposed to “in” your piercing as martinis sometimes do. Someone on here did write that her martinis expanded her piercings.

Congrats on the studs and jeweler! Please post photos when they’re in hand!

 

[emmiesweetie]

I think the look of the number of prongs will depend on the size of the studs. Will the baskets have a flat bottom? If so, they can sit on your lobe as opposed to “in” your piercing as martinis sometimes do. Someone on here did write that her martinis expanded her piercings.

Congrats on the studs and jeweler! Please post photos when they’re in hand!

Thanks! The size of the studs will be .98 tcw, or .49 per stud. The diameter is a teensy bit over 5mm. The baskets will have flat bottoms, yes, so I do not think they will dig in. But they may project too far. (?)

 

[emmiesweetie]

Earring jackets are effectively interchangeable halos with compatible studs.

Not all stud settings are compatible with earring jackets. Hence my advice to buy studs that can be worn with compatible jackets.

I would advise buying the studs from the likes of White Flash as they have compatible earring jackets that can be purchased at a later date. They can make a pair for you if they don't have any in stock.

There was a thread not long ago about Martini type stud settings do not go well with earring jackets. Not sure what had happened there, however, it is worth finding that thread and have a read to form your own opinion.

For more casual days, just wear the studs on their own; and wear them with the jackets to add more bling and size for dressier occasions.

DK

My jeweler does sell jackets, so when I have my appt I will ask about whether the studs I select are compatible with jackets.