men''s diamond stud size in workplace???

[JoeNewbie11]

Hi Everyone,

I am curious...what''s your opinion on an appropriate (if any) men''s diamond stud size in the workplace (professional)?

I am somewhat considering having my left ear pierced and would like a rb diamond stud. I am an engineer in my 20''s working in the medical device industry in the sf bay area and am trying to figure out if any diamond size would be acceptable.

I would personally like a 0.5 carat rb stud to wear casually away from work, but something that large on my ear at work may not be acceptable.

What are your thoughts? Thanks

 

[Shay37]

JoeNewbie, welcome.

Okay here goes. I do not know the field you are in. That being said, I will try my best to help you. Have you done an informal survey at work with colleagues? That would be my first step. Look around you. Are other men wearing earrings; and if so, how big? Is your field so conservative that the CEO of your company would suffer a coronary upon espying you sporting a half carat stud? More laid back than that? These are just some q''s to ask yourself. I can''t help you, but maybe I can help you help you.

shay

 

[Kaleigh]

.30 might be a nice size for you. I''d definitely save the .50 for weekends, etc...

 

[Dancing Fire]

big enough to cover your ear lobe.

 

[lesco]

Uhhh... I actually have a co-worker who I''m working with on a team assignment. He has one about .3 carats . I am forced to go with him on assignment to other corporations and I hate it!!!! I feel like I''m walking around with a pirate. Granted, I work in an extreme corporate environment. I really don''t like the look. Just my humble opinion.

With that said, I think that given the field you are in you might be able to pull it off.... Maybe .4 -.5 is a good size IMO.

 

[IronMikey]

While I love diamond stubs on pro athletes and rappers...I don''t think they look too profesh and I wouldn''t rock them to the office.

My ears aren''t pierced anyway though so I can''t even wear them when I play wiffle ball or do karaoke

 

[Kaleigh]

Date: 6/10/2008 8:59:32 PM
Author: IronMikey
While I love diamond stubs on pro athletes and rappers...I don''t think they look too profesh and I wouldn''t rock them to the office.

My ears aren''t pierced anyway though so I can''t even wear them when I play wiffle ball or do karaoke

To each his own.....

 

[anne_h]

My personal opinion is that ear piercing on men is not ideal in any professional working environment. I would say maybe in some artistic/creative environments... but not in a professional one. However, I''m big on being true to oneself, so if you really, really want one, go for it... but know that some people will probably judge you and it may even affect how you are perceived in some instances.

Sorry to be a downer on this one!

Anne

 

[ladypirate]

Date: 6/10/2008 8:56:27 PM
Author: lesco
Uhhh... I actually have a co-worker who I''m working with on a team assignment. He has one about .3 carats . I am forced to go with him on assignment to other corporations and I hate it!!!! I feel like I''m walking around with a pirate. Granted, I work in an extreme corporate environment. I really don''t like the look. Just my humble opinion.


With that said, I think that given the field you are in you might be able to pull it off.... Maybe .4 -.5 is a good size IMO.

Hey, nothing wrong with walking around with a pirate! YARRR!

I agree with Shay--suss out the situation at work and see what your coworkers think. They''re probably the best judges of the environment.

 

[lesco]

Date: 6/10/2008 9:52:56 PM
Author: ladypirate

Date: 6/10/2008 8:56:27 PM
Author: lesco
Uhhh... I actually have a co-worker who I''m working with on a team assignment. He has one about .3 carats . I am forced to go with him on assignment to other corporations and I hate it!!!! I feel like I''m walking around with a pirate. Granted, I work in an extreme corporate environment. I really don''t like the look. Just my humble opinion.


With that said, I think that given the field you are in you might be able to pull it off.... Maybe .4 -.5 is a good size IMO.

Hey, nothing wrong with walking around with a pirate! YARRR!

I agree with Shay--suss out the situation at work and see what your coworkers think. They''re probably the best judges of the environment.

I almost died when I saw your name.... Funny! - I hope no one took offense.

 

[JoeNewbie11]

Thanks everyone for your feedback.

The tally of your responses so far for acceptable or not looks like:

YES NEUTRAL NO
2 3 3

My gut feeling says that it wouldn''t be well received and some collegues would have mixed perceptions of me. Especially since I am a white-collar worker in a conservative industry (biomedical).

It''s good to get feedback from the PS group because you are people who appreciate diamonds more than the general public and you yourselves are feeling that it''s not the best of idea to sport a diamond stud in the office.

Is there any acceptable earring to wear in the office that''s non-diamond? If I were to get my ear pierced, I''d have to wear something for awhile to let the ear heal and maintain the piercing...

If the answer is no, that''s totally acceptable to me, it''s part of the job I''m in. At least my co-workers don''t see my tattoos

 

[JulieN]

I really think it's the ear piercing, not the jewelry that you wear.

Piercing your ear puts you into "that" category. I've never cared what it was he wore, (of course I KNEW what it was) it was just that he had his ear pierced. Of course, it will take me longer to notice if you are wearing a metal ring/stud as opposed to a sparkly diamond, but once I see it, you are a "guy who pierced his ear(s)" to me.

The only grown men I know with ear piercings are musicians.

 

[jewelerman]

I would keep the earring around .25-.33.

 

[spike13]

In the SF bay area, professional attire is a little more relaxed than other geographies. I think if Ed Bradley (host of 60 minutes) could wear a diamond stud so could you. But it just depends on how you carry yourself, will you be wearing the studs or the studs wearing you?

That said, I would consider getting both ears pierced rather than one, it''s slightly more fashionable and I think the symmetry looks better. If you don''t want to rock a rock at work then a small stainless steel stud would work. They also make clear ones that are hardly noticeable.

If you get it done at the mall they will use a piercing gun and a stainless stud. If you get it done a body piercing place they will use a needle and typically a ring for healing.

 

[Sharon101]

For some reason it can look alittle try hard for a gtuy to have pierced ears. Unless he is really young and cute, in which case you understand that he is in his experimental stage. I think the piercing will cost you in the long run unless you are in the very fast paced it industry, or advertising etc.

 

[Circe]

I''m in academia, and a fair number of my colleagues go a bit beyond mainstream standards: by my lights, a discreet stud shouldn''t take away from your professional image (but, considering where I''m coming from, feel free to take it with a grain of salt: I mean, I seriously counsel most of the guys I know who wear shorts to consider kilts instead). As for the size of the stud itself, it depends on the size of your lobes as much as anything else: I''d say a .25 stud should be safe for the workplace, by any standard ....

 

[crown1]

hi! remember i offer my opinion because you asked. i would refrain from getting the ear pierced. i have read someone''s signature that basically says if you have a doubt don''t. you are certainly free to express yourself with piercings or tattoos but others always have their opinions that they also are entitled to.

i think we are all products of our upbringing. along with the personal thoughts on what looks good or is socially acceptable is the generation thing. what one generation accepts others don''t necessarily. i don''t think most want to make unfair judgments we just have different opinions. the judgments i refer to are just thoughts not being openly hostile.

i noticed the mention of ed bradley''s earring and i never cared for it. i just don''t like the look on guys.

 

[Ellen]

Date: 6/11/2008 1:20:30 AM
Author: JoeNewbie11
Thanks everyone for your feedback.

The tally of your responses so far for acceptable or not looks like:

YES NEUTRAL NO
2 3 3

My gut feeling says that it wouldn''t be well received and some collegues would have mixed perceptions of me. Especially since I am a white-collar worker in a conservative industry (biomedical).

It''s good to get feedback from the PS group because you are people who appreciate diamonds more than the general public and you yourselves are feeling that it''s not the best of idea to sport a diamond stud in the office.

Is there any acceptable earring to wear in the office that''s non-diamond? If I were to get my ear pierced, I''d have to wear something for awhile to let the ear heal and maintain the piercing...

If the answer is no, that''s totally acceptable to me, it''s part of the job I''m in. At least my co-workers don''t see my tattoos

There is your answer.

 

[purrfectpear]

Another vote for "just say no" here. It may look sort of trendy on guys in their 20''s, but when you''re an exec in your 40''s it just looks ridiculous. Sort of like polyester lounge suits and big golden chains with chest hair.

 

[strmrdr]

Just say No

 

[surfgirl]

honestly joe, to me, any earring in a dude just looks really played at this point. It was cool years back but...even when I see Harrison Ford sporting his earring, I just cringe and think "please, take that thing out already!" So I agree, just say no to the entire idea. Especially if you''ve not done it yet.

 

[girlie-girl]

I'd also vote don't do it for many of the same reasons others listed above.

I'm curious why you're interested in wearing an earring... both at work and away. Maybe if everyone knew the logic of why you're thinking about it we could provide more suitable advice.

 

[asscherisme]

I vote no. But I''m not a fan of earrings on men.

Harrison Ford comes to mind. A few years back, he pierced his ear and I remember reading an article somewhere saying that his girlfriend, Calista Flockhard made him do it to try and recaputure his youth. I thought it looked silly. And so did Ed. Bradley''s in my opinion.

 

[JoeNewbie11]

Well, there seems to be a majority of you that think I should definitely not pierce my ear and rock a diamond stud....guess that means I should go do it then

ha ha ha j/k

Thanks for all your opinions. I understand that an ear piercing on a man is a matter of personal taste and is not everyone''s cup of tea. Like many of you said, it all depends on what the individual wants. It''s just too bad that having my ear pierced could hamper my professional life, when it really shouldn''t.

Hmmm, that means the next logical question is where else could I get pierced and sport a diamond stud without anyone seeing???????

ha ha ha I''m having too much fun now.

Take care.

 

[IronMikey]

Date: 6/10/2008 9:12:17 PM
Author: Kaleigh

Date: 6/10/2008 8:59:32 PM

Author: IronMikey

While I love diamond stubs on pro athletes and rappers...I don''t think they look too profesh and I wouldn''t rock them to the office.


My ears aren''t pierced anyway though so I can''t even wear them when I play wiffle ball or do karaoke

To each his own.....

Ha, maybe if you''re self employed. I''d go to work in mesh shorts if I had my way.

 

[Bliss]

If you're into hip hop and rock out with the prep gear... I'd say definitely get it pierced and wear a diamond on the weekends. Pop ya collar and everything! I think that look is awesome on certain men. Very GQ, actually!

However, I would not wear an earring in the workplace. Just don't do it. If your gut instinct says it wouldn't be received well, find some other way of personal expression. Maybe get something like a necklace or other jewelry (blinged out watch) that only you can see.

 

[corkstone]

Not a chance.

I am in banking and finance and a guy wearing a stud diamond would be laughed out of the boardroom.

Save the money and put it towards a rocking watch. Men and woman (of all ages) can appreciate a great timepiece.

The general rule of thumb for business environments is this...of course all bets are off if you own the company or are a CEO. Then what you say goes. But for a young guy like yourself (and myself).

- Wedding band (otherwise no other rings)
- Watch (though, not to be worn with cufflinks)
- No chains, earrings, nose piercings, bracelets, ect.

That is all.

 

[diamondringlover]

my hubby is a machinst and he wears a diamond stud in his left ear, it is my old ering stone and it is .18 points, i think it is the perfect size

 

[IronMikey]

Date: 6/11/2008 5:12:39 PM
Author: corkstone
Not a chance.


I am in banking and finance and a guy wearing a stud diamond would be laughed out of the boardroom.


Save the money and put it towards a rocking watch. Men and woman (of all ages) can appreciate a great timepiece.


The general rule of thumb for business environments is this...of course all bets are off if you own the company or are a CEO. Then what you say goes. But for a young guy like yourself (and myself).


- Wedding band (otherwise no other rings)

- Watch (though, not to be worn with cufflinks)

- No chains, earrings, nose piercings, bracelets, ect.


That is all.

Agreed (mostly). Why no watch and cufflinks? I like that look as long as neither is too gaudy.

I think a nice watch is essential for a guy. They''re classy and everyone can appreciate them. Also, I know a few guys who wear a cross under their dress shirts. You can''t see it at work though -- only when we get changed b/f softball. We''re 4-0 btw.

 

[kcgunesq]

Date: 6/11/2008 5:12:39 PM
Author: corkstone
Not a chance.


I am in banking and finance and a guy wearing a stud diamond would be laughed out of the boardroom.


Save the money and put it towards a rocking watch. Men and woman (of all ages) can appreciate a great timepiece.


The general rule of thumb for business environments is this...of course all bets are off if you own the company or are a CEO. Then what you say goes. But for a young guy like yourself (and myself).


- Wedding band (otherwise no other rings)

- Watch (though, not to be worn with cufflinks)

- No chains, earrings, nose piercings, bracelets, ect.


That is all.

So men don''t even wear school(college or grad school) rings?