Diamond earrings are available in a host of designs, settings, and shapes. With so many options on the market, it definitely takes some research to ensure you’re making the right choice. With that said, here are some tips worth keeping in mind when you set out to buy the perfect pair of diamond stud earrings.

  • Know The 4 Cs

If you’ve shopped for diamond jewelry before, you must be familiar with the 4 Cs. The 4 Cs, which are cut, clarity, color, and carat, are used to grade a diamond and determine its value. These factors also decide how bright your diamond shines and how clear it looks. The most crucial factor out of the 4 Cs that influences a diamond’s beauty is its cut. When the cutter makes high-precision cuts to fashion the diamond, the diamond has a highly captivating radiance.

White diamonds are graded for their color from colorless to light yellow or brown. Colorless diamonds, which are the rarest of all, can be quite expensive. Further, diamonds are graded from D to Z. While colorless and near-colorless diamonds are graded from D to J, those with a faint, very light, and light color are graded from K to Z. You will also find diamonds in various other hues such as red, blue, yellow, pink, etc., which fall under the category of fancy diamonds.

Both lab-grown diamonds and mined diamonds may have certain characteristics that are popularly referred to as inclusions and blemishes. The rating for clarity of a diamond depends on how visible or noticeable these inclusions and blemishes are. The fourth factor is the carat, which translates to a diamond’s weight. 

When buying diamond earrings, you can focus more on the clarity and carat of a diamond so that it shines from afar and is noticeable. However, this also depends on your budget.

  • Know The Different Shapes of Diamond Earrings

While there is a whole range of shapes of diamond earrings, the best way to ensure that the earrings look good on you is by selecting a shape that suits the shape of your face. If you have a round face, emerald-cut stones are the best choice. 

For narrow faces, bigger round diamond studs can help add more volume to the face. However, if you would rather opt for smaller diamonds with maximum sparkle, you can also explore options with the halo setting.

Asscher and cushion-cut diamond earrings are quite the trend. However, they’re more suitable for square-shaped faces as they help accentuate the angles of the wearer’s face. People with heart-shaped faces benefit from wearing earrings with princess-cut stones as they emphasize the naturally unique shape of the face. 

Finally, if your face has an oval shape, you can explore different designs in triangle-shaped diamond earrings.

In addition to the shape of the face, you should also consider the size of your earlobe to ensure you’re zeroing in on a diamond shape that complements your features. To begin with, the size of the diamond you pick should be proportionate to your earlobe. 

If you have attached earlobes, smaller diamonds will look better on your ears. Likewise, people with unattached earlobes can choose earrings with diamonds that are bigger.

  • Know About Special Lab-Grown Diamonds, And Decide If They’re Right For You

Lab-grown diamonds have become a preferred alternative to mined diamonds among people in recent times for various reasons. Keeping the carat, cut, clarity, and color constant, there’s a great difference in how much both these diamonds cost. Therefore, you can purchase lab-grown diamonds with brilliant shine and flawless sparkle at more affordable rates when compared to natural diamonds.

There’s growing awareness about the ethical controversies related to mined diamonds. The mining process is known to exploit the poor, condone child labor, and cause pollution, deforestation, soil erosion, and increase the chances of manmade disasters; the list goes on. Mined diamonds create an ethical dilemma for buyers, which is why people are more open to buying lab-grown diamonds. They’re an eco-friendly and ethical choice.

Moreover, lab-grown diamonds and mined diamonds have the same physical and chemical composition. Lab-grown diamonds, just like mined diamonds, also get tested to be graded based on their cut, clarity, carat, and color. Therefore, you can make sure you’re investing in high-quality diamonds when you go for earrings made from lab-grown diamonds.

  • Know About The Different Metals Your Earrings Can Be Made Out Of

Diamond earrings are generally set on one of the four types of precious metals— yellow gold, rose gold, white gold, and platinum. While platinum is the most expensive of all metals, it is often a symbol of elegance and luxury. However, if you’re shopping on a budget, you can consider white gold, which is very similar to platinum in terms of looks but is more affordable.

Yellow gold is the most conventional and common metal for diamond jewelry, and you’ll find a good range of options in terms of designs. However, if you’re looking for a modern and chic pair of diamond earrings, rose gold is worth considering.

  • Know What Kind Of Setting You Want Before You Go Shopping

Diamonds are set on an earring using different methods, and all these settings make a difference in how your earrings will look. This makes it crucial to understand the kind of setting you like before you go shopping. The most common type is the bezel setting. It has a band of metal that wraps the diamond. Since it is sleek and low-maintenance, it is a preferred choice for earrings that are worn every day.

The halo, basket, and martini settings appear fancier. A halo setting has one center stone that is generally bigger than the rest of the diamonds surrounding it, forming a layer of sparkle around it. The basket prong setting, when viewed from the side, looks like a basket with a diamond accommodated right in the middle. Martini is very similar to the basket setting with the only difference being a V-shaped, martini glass-like structure instead of a basket that keeps the diamond secure. You can choose a setting based on whether you plan to wear the earrings every day or on special occasions and your personal preferences.

Whether it is your wedding day or anniversary, or you’re looking for earrings to wear daily, there’s always a pair of diamond earrings for every occasion. When buying diamond earrings, it is crucial that you take into account your budget and the quality of the diamonds besides your taste to ensure you make a wise choice.