Diamond stud earrings are a must-have jewelry staple for any woman. Not only are they beautiful, but they’re versatile as well. Whether you’re accessorizing for a formal or casual event, you can never go wrong with a pair of diamond studs. But before you go out and purchase your own pair, here’s everything you should keep in mind.

1. Determine your ideal diamond size. Chances are your ideal diamond size is the largest one that fits just within your budget. We’ve found that best sizes for diamond stud earrings range anywhere from 1/4 total carat weight to 4 carats. For those weighing less than a quarter carat total weight, you won’t be able to appreciate the sparkle and beauty of those diamonds as much as you would with the larger sizes. And diamond studs weighing more than 4 carats can sometimes look too large for the ear.
2. Don’t forget about the other 3 C’s. While a diamond’s size (carat weight) tends to be one of the most principal considerations when looking at diamond studs, you should also pay attention to the other quality factors as well. If you’ve ever shopped for a diamond ring, you know just how important a diamond’s color, cut, and clarity are when determining the value of said diamond. But luckily for diamond studs, you can sacrifice a bit more on quality than you would be able to with a solitaire ring. So what are the ideal quality characteristics of a pair of diamond stud earrings? It all depends on the size, but typically we recommend diamonds that are G-H in color, are SI in clarity, and have an excellent or very good cut.
3. Decide on your preferred diamond shape. The two most popular shapes for diamond stud earrings are round and square. Both the brilliant-cut round diamond and the square-shaped princess cut diamond feature maximum sparkle, so you should select whichever shape appeals to you the most.
   

   Round Brilliant Cut Diamond Studs

   

   Princess Cut Diamond Studs

4. Choose your ideal metal. When it comes to diamond jewelry, we always recommend setting the diamonds in a platinum, white gold, rose gold, or yellow gold setting. Avoid softer metals like silver since they won’t offer the same amount of protection as the more durable metals. The precious metal you select all depends on your personal preference and whether or not you have any metal allergies. However, it is important to note that metal color can affect the appearance of a diamond. Yellow gold or rose gold settings can sometimes make the diamond appear warmer in color while platinum and white gold can bring out a diamond’s colorless appearance more.
5. Select the setting you’d prefer. The two most common types of diamond stud earring settings are your classic four-prong basket setting and the more contemporary three-prong martini setting. Thanks to the extra prong covering the diamond, a four-prong setting will provide more protection than a three-prong setting would. However, the martini setting offers a sleeker appearance. If you’re not sold on either of these two settings, you may want to also consider a bezel or a halo setting. More information on these settings can be found here.
   

   4-Prong Basket Setting

   

   3-Prong Martini Setting

6. Pick your earring back. Friction backs and screw backs are the two most popular options for stud earrings. The most common type of earring back, friction backs are known for their relative ease when putting on and removing them. Screw backs, on the other hand, require you to continuously twist the back into a threaded post, making them somewhat more cumbersome to put on and take off. The one upside to these earrings is their security. You’ll never have to worry about accidentally losing a diamond stud while you’re wearing it.
   

   Friction Back Diamond Stud

   

   Screw Back Diamond Stud

7. Always buy from a jeweler you trust. There are many reasons why purchasing a pair of diamond studs from a local independent jewelry store is a good idea. The first is that you’ll have the opportunity to try on different sizes and see which would look best on you. Plus, you’ll be able to actually see what the diamonds look like in person before purchasing them. The second reason is that you’ll be able to work with a diamond-buying expert who can guide you into selecting diamond studs that are the best value given your budget. Finally, you’ll have a place to go in case your diamond studs ever need tightening or another type of maintenance.

Visit Kloiber Jewelers today to start your diamond stud buying experience!