Whether you are buying stud earrings to treat yourself, as an investment piece or as a special gift for a loved one, you will get a bett...
Diamond stud
earrings make timeless gifts. They can mark a family occasion, such as school
graduation, or they can be a gift of love for an anniversary or other
remembrance. Whatever the reason for giving, purchasing diamond earrings
requires a little advanced research.
If you have decided diamond stud earring, please decide your budget first. Be realistic. Only you know what you can comfortably afford, but once you’ve worked it out, it’s time to get best value for money.
Use this handy
buying guide to help you as you research and eventually decide on a gorgeous
pair of diamond stud earrings.
Choose Right Metal:
Stud earrings
come in the usual assortment of precious metals, from Gold; yellow and white as
well as Platinum. You may have your own preference when it comes to the
metal or – if you’re buying diamond earrings as a gift – you will want to take
into account what jewellery the recipient loves and wears.
Check 4Cs:
Most of you have
at least heard of the four Cs of cut, carat, clarity, and color. However, since
earrings are not as openly visible as a pendant, nor as scrutinized as an
engagement ring, standards can be relaxed just a bit. Very good quality, as
opposed to exceptional quality, can be a very good thing.
Diamond Cuts
for Studs
The most common
diamond shapes used for stud earrings are round, Asscher, and princess cut
diamonds. Basically, any diamond cut that lends itself to having equal
proportions is well suited to be a stud earring. That is why the circular shape
of the round and square shapes of princess and Asscher are so popular. On the
contrary, marquise and pear shaped diamonds are the least common diamond cuts
used for studs.
Diamond Carat for Studs
Diamond studs
usually have minimalist settings, meaning there is no way to “hide” a smaller
carat weight. Also, keep in mind that if you are looking at a pair of diamond
studs online, the “total carat weight” listed in the carat weight for the two
studs combined, not each stud. Luckily, since you can save money on other 4C
grades such as clarity and color, you may find room in your budget for a larger
carat weight.
Diamond Clarity for Studs
Clarity is a
measure of the number of internal or external flaws or inclusions a diamond
has. Flawless diamonds are very rare and therefore more expensive.
Unless you plan to buy huge diamonds and invite your friends and relatives to
study them up-close, the diamond’s clarity probably doesn’t matter very
much. In most cases, you would need a magnifying glass to see tiny
inclusions within the diamond anyway.
Color in Diamond Stud Earrings
The absence of
color is usually the goal with white diamonds. The GIA rates stones with a
letter grade from D, which is completely colorless, through Z, which is light
yellow or brown. Most commercial diamonds are in the D through J category,
which is considered colorless to near colorless. Unlike many inclusions and
blemishes, color is at least somewhat visible to the naked eye. Stones around
the H and I grades would be good for stud earrings.
Diamond Stud Earring Settings
Prong and basket
settings are the most common for diamond studs. Both of these setting types are
classic, minimalist, and will showcase the diamond. For added sparkle, many of
our customers who purchase diamond stud earrings opt for a halo setting. A
diamond halo will help to enhance earrings with a lower carat weight.
Stud Earring Backs
Push backs are a
safe choice for earring backs. In general, they are the most popular earring
back style on the market, because they are easy to use and comfortable for
sensitive ears. Some earring
lovers prefer screw backs. Screw backs are thicker in diameter and the most
secure option for stud earrings. If you or your loved one is concerned about
the diamond studs falling out, screw backs are the best option.
Who can wear Diamond Studs?
Pay close
attention to skin tone, hair color, ear size, and the proportions of the face
to work out which diamond shape and setting style will look the best. The
upside of having such versatility with diamond stud earrings is that you can
customize them to fit anyone’s personal style, so let that be your guide.
With the wide
range of shapes and sizes available in diamond stud earrings, there's something
to complement every occasion. Whether worn to lunch with friends, to a dressy
cocktail party, or to an elegant evening event, diamond stud earrings match the
moment.
