The Complete Guide to Buying Diamond Stud Earrings

Earrings, in one form or another, have been around for over five thousand years, with the earliest adaptations of stud earrings dating back to Ancient Egypt. More specifically, diamond stud earrings became a lasting fashion trend in the late 19th century and have been a classic staple ever since.

Today, diamond stud earrings can be seen on both men and women to offer a simple yet striking addition to any outfit and are suitable for a wide variety of occasions. Diamond stud earrings pair well with a little black dress or can elevate a business suit for professional gatherings. But how do you choose the right pair of diamond earrings to suit your style and taste?

How to Choose the Best Diamond Earrings for You

While you may think that choosing the perfect pair of diamond stud earrings is a simple trip to your local jeweler, there are many factors to consider. The size of the diamond, the diamond setting, the backing, and the type of metal all come into play when you’re shopping for a pair of diamond earrings. Whether you’re trying to select the perfect set of diamond earrings for you or for a loved one, here are some options you may want to consider before making your purchase.

What Diamond Stud Earring Shape Suits You?

The shape of the diamond you choose will affect other elements of the stud earrings you decide to purchase, right down to the setting, post, and backing, so it’s important that you choose wisely.

Round and princess cut diamonds are the most popular diamond shapes for stud earrings. Both are known for their classic, symmetrical look and offer maximum brilliance and sparkle. If you are aiming for an edgier style, the four-prong metal basket of the princess cut diamond is a good choice for you. If you are more traditional, the smooth and circular appearance of the round cut diamond studs may be more to your liking.

While princess and round cut diamond studs are the most popular choice, they certainly are not your only options. If you or your loved one enjoys attention-seeking fashion choices, there are a variety of unique diamond shapes to choose from.

Cushion cut and oval-shaped diamonds have been growing in popularity, especially with younger crowds, due to their antiqued and vintage vibe. They offer a soft, subtle accent to any dress or outfit and definitely offer a more feminine look.

Asscher and emerald-cut diamond studs also offer a vintage look but boast more rigid edges and angled cuts. This could impact what setting you’ll choose because of the unsymmetrical shape of the diamond.

Lastly, for those that really want to make a splash, you have heart-shaped, pear-shaped and marquise cut diamonds. These diamond shapes are typically reserved for the more daring and adventurous types due to their unique style. As with any of these choices, it all comes down to personal preference and what settings you’d be wearing your diamond stud earrings in.

Consider Diamond Quality

Another important factor to consider when investing in a pair of diamond stud earrings is the quality. The universal method for determining a diamond’s quality is known as the 4Cs… Color, clarity, cut, and carat weight. This will help you get the best value for how much you want to spend when you buy your diamond earrings.

Let’s take a crash course in the 4Cs:

• Color: Every surface and angle of a diamond acts like its own tiny mirror, reflecting every color that comes near it including your skin tone right down to the precious metal of its setting. All of these factors will impact the color of your diamond. To get the most for your money, you may want to consider buying a less expensive diamond that is lower on the D-to-Z color scale, rather than paying more for a colorless diamond.
• Clarity: Clarity is arguably higher on the priority list if you’re purchasing an engagement ring rather than diamond stud earrings. The higher the clarity, the fewer inclusions and imperfections. Since onlookers will likely not be up close and personal with your diamond stud earrings, you can get away with saving money on a set of diamonds that have a lower clarity value. This will allow you to spend a little more on the other Cs.
• Cut: Of course, you want your diamond earrings to be eye-catching and have maximum sparkle. If you are going for a more classic cut of like a round or princess-cut diamond you’ll want to choose a stone with a ‘very good’ to ‘excellent’ GIA rating. This will ensure you are investing in diamond stud earrings that will emit a brilliant shine and sparkle.
• Carat Weight: This will all come down to how much you want to spend on your diamond stud earrings. If it is within your budget, you should try to purchase diamonds that are .50 carats or larger. Remember not to skimp on the expense of an expertly cut diamond just to get a higher carat weight. A poorly cut diamond, even if it is larger, will lack the luster of a diamond with a better cut.

Select Diamond Stud Earring Carat, Weight & Size - Among the most popular and relatively affordable size are one-carat diamond studs. This is the total weight of the pair of earrings, with a half-carat in each setting. To better understand how big that actually is, a single half-carat diamond stud is about 5 millimeters in diameter and a one-carat diamond is around 6.5 millimeters in diameter. Keep in mind that the larger the diamond, the heavier it will be. If you want to have a higher carat count on your diamond stud earrings consider that it will weigh on your earlobes and protrude more, so choose a setting that has an appealing profile if you want a larger carat diamond.

Consider the Diamond Stud Setting

The setting you choose for your diamond stud earrings will depend on your style and what shape and cut of stone you decide to choose. Here are some diamond settings to consider.

• Four-Prong Setting - A four-prong diamond setting offers elegance and a timeless appeal. Four prongs mean less metal encasing the diamond, allowing the stone to really pop and become the star of the show. This will give your diamond a more squared-off look so it is the perfect setting for princess-cut and cushion-cut diamonds. If you want to have a sturdier setting for a larger stone, you can graduate to a six-prong setting.
• Three-Prong Martini Setting - As the name suggests, martini settings resemble the shape of a martini glass and allows the diamond to rest closer to the earlobe. Three-prong settings are constructed to fit the diamond perfectly, true to its size, to create a flush setting.
• Bezel Setting - The bezel setting was one of the earliest gemstone settings. Bezel settings not only securely hold the stone in place but offer an opportunity to showcase a precious metal of choice as well. This diamond earring setting creates a metal perimeter that completely encapsulates the diamond stud, giving it a more modern and uniformed look. This is a great opportunity to choose a more unique precious metal like rose gold, yellow gold, or even platinum.
• Halo Setting - Halo settings are popular in both ring settings and diamond stud earring settings. This basically means that you have a ring of smaller diamonds encircling the center gemstone. This adds more brilliance to the center diamond because it reflects off of the smaller halo stones.

Choose the Best Diamond Earring Back for You

It is always advised that you purchase insurance for your diamond jewelry. But making sure it is secure when you’re wearing it equally important. Choosing the right backing for your diamond earrings will come down to preference.

• Friction, Push-Back, or Butterfly Earring Back: Push back earring backings are the most common of stud earring closures. Also called butterfly backs or friction backing, these are popular because they are simple to take on and off, as well as being secure.
• Threaded or Screw Back: Screw-on earring backs are the most secure of stud earring backings. While they are thicker in diameter, they do keep your stud earrings securely in place and prevent them from falling out. If you have sensitive earlobes this may not be the choice for you. Individuals that aren’t accustomed to removing screw back stud earrings may find it more frustrating and challenging, and possibly painful, so choose wisely.

Jeweler’s Touch Has a Wide Selection of Diamond Stud Earrings

Our store is now open for business. But for those that still aren’t comfortable with an in-store shopping experience, we’ll still be offering curbside pick-up and drop-off, as well as virtual jewelry consultations via video conferencing technology. Our convenient curbside jewelry service and virtual appointments are set up and waiting to serve you. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for updates.

Jeweler’s Touch opened its doors in 1992, with a team of GIA certified gemologists, accredited jewelry professionals, and skilled goldsmiths. We offer clients a wide selection of diamond earrings, engagement rings, and wedding bands to celebrate the most memorable times in your life. We proudly serve Los Angeles, Placentia, Yorba Linda, Brea, Orange County, and most of Southern California. You are welcomed to call and leave us a message at (714) 579-1616.