How To Buy The Perfect Pair Of Diamond Stud Earrings

August 6, 2017

DIAMOND STUD EARRINGS

Diamond stud earrings are the most versatile item in a woman’s jewellery wardrobe. They are suitable for all occasions and look fine wearing as part of a casual outfit, with a little black dress, or for a formal event. Start with the overall style you are looking for before turning attention to the actual diamonds themselves. Because until you have a framework, you won’t know what your diamond requirements will really be.

What to look for when buying a pair of diamond stud earrings

Choosing a pair of diamond earrings comes down to two components:

1. The diamond setting

2. The quality of diamonds to be used

The Diamond Setting

Diamond Studs – Select a Metal Quality

First, decide what material you want to be used in the mount (often called the setting) of the diamonds. For a smaller diamond size, a lower diamond quality, or a limited budget, within Australia 9 Karat gold is one option. However, the most popular setting option by far is to have the diamonds placed in 18 Karat gold. Platinum, the noblest of materials is usually reserved for the larger sized and higher priced items.

Diamond Studs - Select a Metal Colour

Next, decide on the colour of the material to be used. Most women tend to prefer one colour metal over all others, so if this is a gift for a loved one, and you are unsure, check her jewellery box for an indication of her favourite metal colour, or ask her family and friends what her preference is. Typically, White Gold is the preferred choice. With a Colourless or Near Colourless diamond, Yellow Gold can draw a bit of colour into the stone making it appear to have more colour than it really does. However it can also mask the colour slightly in diamond with a lower colour grade, thus making it appear a bit whiter and having less colour than it actually does.

Diamond Studs – Select a Setting Style

The diamonds within the earring settings can be held in place through a variety of ways. The most common way is by being held with prongs (claws). There are variations on the number of claws and it is ultimately dictated by what is aesthetically pleasing and your personal preference. A bezel or rub-over setting surrounds the diamond in metal.

Diamond Studs – Select a Backing

At Australian Diamond Network you can select from two stud back options. Butterfly backs are also commonly referred to as friction backs. They are the most common type of earring backings. They consist of a metal backing in the shape of a butterfly; the thin post of the earring is simply inserted into a small hole in the centre of the backing. Available in either single or double push back for extra security. Screw backs are earring backs that function in a similar way to a nut and bolt, the back of the earring is screwed into a post. Although these backings can be quite finicky to use, they provide maximum safety. There is however one disadvantage in that over time the screwing mechanism tends to become less effective. Unfortunately there is no guarantee with any earring backing, so be sure that your insurance covers any accidental loss or damage.

The Quality Of Diamonds To Be Used

Diamond Studs – Diamond Quality

With stud earrings, the diamonds themselves are much more important than in other diamond earring styles as the entire ‘look’ depends on how well they return light to the viewers’ eye.

Diamond Studs – Select A Diamond Colour

Colour is an important factor, and if budget allows, try to stay within the ‘near colourless’ or ‘colourless’ range.

Larger diamonds tend to show more colour than smaller ones, so you may be able to sacrifice a bit of colour in the lower carat weights.

Diamond Studs – Select A Diamond Carat Weight

When speaking about the diamond carat weight for studs, it refers to the total carat weight (both diamonds together), so a 1ct pair of earrings really means a pair containing 2x0.50cts or 1/2ct in each ear.

The carat weight you settle on for your studs will ultimately be determined by your budget, keeping in mind that you can always tweak any of the other 3Cs in order to adjust as needed.

Diamond Studs – Select Diamonds With The Correct Millimetre Diameter

It is very important that your diamonds have been matched for millimetre (mm) dimension. Diameter needs to be close enough that you won’t notice any size difference.

At Australian Diamond Network, we select our stones and match them from a large assortment of diamonds to ensure the mm size is within an acceptable range.

Diamond Studs – Select A Diamond Clarity Range

With diamond stud earrings, many people decide that clarity is not as important as size and colour. As long as they are relatively eye clean, you can sacrifice a clarity grade or two to make an improvement in colour or carat weight.

It is acceptable for diamond studs to have a clarity range as opposed to an exact grading. Because diamonds are regularly pre-paired from parcels of stones that are all very similar in their characteristics, you will often be given a range of colour and clarity. For example, 2=0.50cts with F/G colour and SI1-SI2 clarity.

Diamond Studs – Select Diamonds With A Cut Grade Of Very Good Or Better

If selecting individually certified diamonds to match as a pair, pay attention to the Cut grade. Cut is involved in determining how light functions when it enters the diamonds crown, refracts around the diamond internally, and then leaves the diamond and returns to your eye in the form of brilliance, fire and scintillation.

If choosing pre-set uncertified goods, an important feature is that they have been matched against each other for ‘make’.

Diamond Studs – How Much Should I Spend?

Simply, spend what you can afford. Set your budget and stick to it.

Diamond Studs – Select A Pair That Is Right For The Occasion

Always in style, often given as gifts by family members or dear friends, and appropriate for any occasion, diamond stud earrings typically symbolise that the woman who wears them is loved and special to someone. So, even if you don’t have a specific reason to give a pair of diamond stud earrings, the simple reason of ‘just because’ is always appropriate as well.

Should you require any further assistance in your search for the perfect diamond stud earrings, please contact Australian Diamond Network and we will be happy to help you with any requirements that you may have.

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