Diamond stud earrings pair perfectly with a little black dress or can boost a formal fit for professional gatherings. They are a simple yet tasteful gift for engagements, or weddings. Other times, just because you need a new pair.
Purchasing these seemingly forthright earrings can be tougher than many buyers may realize. Knowing exactly what to look for and how to bargain a great deal is key to purchasing quality diamond stud earrings.
But how do you choose the right pair of diamond earrings to suit your personal style and taste? Read on to see 5 things to look out for before purchasing a pair of diamond stud earrings.
Tips for Buying Quality Diamond Stud Earrings
While you may assume that selecting the ideal pair of diamond stud earrings, there are many factors to consider. The diamond setting, the diamond size, the backing, and the kind of precious metal all come into play when you are choosing a pair of diamond earrings.
Whether you’re trying to choose the ideal set of diamond earrings for yourself or as a gift for a loved one, here are some factors you may want to keep in mind before making your acquisition.
1. Cut of the Diamond
The diamond’s cut refers to the stone’s proportions and how commensurate they are. Cut also analyzes facets of a stone and how luminance and sparkle are affected due to their positioning.
The shine and sparkle of your diamond earrings may be defined most by the grade of its cut over any other element. With each precise cut, a diamond’s capacity to reflect light through it is magnified.
Diamond cut can affect the diamond quality in three major ways:
- Brightness: The total reflection of all white light from a diamond cut.
- Fire: reflected light’s diffusion into colors of the spectrum.
- Scintillation: the creation of sparkle from a stone’s motion as patterns of dark and light areas are present.
A badly cut diamond may turn out to look lifeless and dull. This can occur with even diamonds of high clarity and good color grade. Quality of diamonds is maximized when the cut quality allows proper reflection and refraction of light.
2. The Shape of the Diamond
The terms diamond shape and diamond cut are often used interchangeably by a lot of people. However, they are quite different.
Like solitaire wedding rings, diamond stud earrings come in a variety of shapes. The shape of the diamonds you select will influence every other detail of the stud earrings you choose to buy. It is very important to choose the shape of your solitaire jewel wisely.
Round and princess cut diamonds are the most sought-after diamond shapes for diamond earrings. They are known for their classic, proportional look. They both offer the highest brilliance and sparkle.
Cushion cut and oval-shaped diamonds have been rising in popularity, particularly with younger crowds, due to their vintage vibe. They give any dress or outfit a subtle accent and possess a more feminine look.
Emerald-cut and Asscher diamond studs also offer a vintage look but have more rigid edges and angled cuts. This largely affects their setting but makes them a great choice for a diamond pendant. Pear-shaped, heart-shaped, and marquise-cut diamonds are also great choices if you want to go all out.
3. The Setting of the Diamond
The setting you select for your diamond stud earrings will rely on the shape and cut of the stone you have chosen. A good setting should maximize both size and sparkle of your gemstone. Diamond stud earrings are most often prong set with 3, 4, or 6 prongs clasping the stone.
The bezel setting gives a great opportunity to showcase the diamond. It creates a metal perimeter that encapsulates the diamond, giving it a modern look. The halo setting is also very popular with both solitaire rings and stud earrings. This setting encircles the center gemstone with a ring of smaller gemstones.
A small stone (less than .5 carats) can be overwhelmed and hidden by too many prongs. On the other hand, too few prongs on bigger stones may not be as secure. Due to their strength and durability, platinum settings are largely recommended.
For additional support, larger stones require backing when worn. However, the backing should not be visible when viewed properly.
4. Precious Metal for Pairing
There are three things to keep in mind when picking a precious metal to pair with your lab grown diamond earrings:
- Metal Color: These lab grown Diamonds are highly reflective gems. This means that their apparent color can be influenced by the surrounding metal color. You can take advantage of this to create contrast or harmony in your stud earring style.
- Weight: It isn’t likely to notice if stud earrings are heavier or lighter because of the metal used. However, it’s important to note that the same earring setting will weigh more in platinum than in gold.
- Allergies: For wearers with metal allergies, platinum is a great choice due to its hypoallergenic nature.
It’s also important to make sure that the precious metal is a great match against your skin.
5. Budget
Diamond stud earrings can cost anything from $100 to $30,000+. How much you should spend is a personal choice that reflects your preferences and budget.
If the quality and size of the diamonds aren’t a priority for you, expect to pay less. However, if you want large diamond studs with an excellent cut grade, expect to pay more. Also, remember that you are purchasing two diamond pairs.
It’s best to prepare a budget before you begin shopping for diamond stud earrings. This will help you stay in line and prevent you from falling in love with a diamond way bigger than your wallet. You can always opt for lab grown diamonds which are affordable and has no compromise in the quality. Also, make sure you receive a certificate that matches your purchase from the store.
Conclusion
A lot of thought and consideration goes into finding the perfect pair of diamond stud earrings. However, it is well worth it. The dazzle and elegance of diamond stud earrings make each of these processes worth it. Make sure to select the diamonds after comparing and reviewing it in all aspects.
