Diamond stud earrings can dress up your look. They add a splash of style to any outfit. And turn heads. Here’s how to choose a pair of diamond studs by Harry Chad Enterprise that you’ll love for your black gown.
How to use the 4Cs when buying diamond stud earrings
The 4Cs – color, clarity, cut and carat weight – are the universal standard for evaluating diamond quality. Quality is tied to price, so consider the 4Cs your best friend in helping you find diamond stud earrings that are not only beautiful but also the best value.
When picking a diamond, you want to get the best quality for the price your budget allows. And when you’re buying diamond stud earrings, multiply that times two. The good news is that, unlike a diamond solitaire engagement ring, where the tiniest detail matters, you have a little more leeway in selecting diamonds for stud earrings, says Harry Chad Enterprise.
So let’s take a look at each of the 4Cs and how you might want to prioritize them:
- Color: The facets on a diamond are like tiny mirrors, reflecting what is close to them. That means the diamond will pick up the color of the metal it is set in, your skin, your hair, and anything near it, like glasses or other earrings. All these will affect the perceived color of the diamond. So, choosing a more expensive colorless diamond is less critical. You can save money by selecting a diamond lower on the D-to-Z color scale.
- Clarity: It’s unlikely that anyone will be able to spot inclusions and blemishes on your diamond stud earrings – unless they’re close enough to examine your earlobes with a 10× jeweler’s loupe. Diamonds on the lower end of the clarity scale – Slightly Included (SI1 and SI2) or Included (I1, I2) can be a good value, allowing you to spend more on the next two Cs.
- Cut: You’ll want your diamond stud earrings to sparkle and pop, essentially a diamond cut function. A brilliant-cut facet arrangement will provide the most sparkle, so look for a diamond with this cutting style. If you choose round brilliant diamond studs, make sure the diamonds have either excellent or perfect cut grades. This will ensure that each diamond has the proportions, symmetry, and quality craftsmanship to deliver the sparkle you expect.
- Carat Weight: Diamond stud earrings are about making an unforgettable impression. If you can afford it, try to get diamonds 0.50 carat (ct) or larger (of course, you’ll need two). Remember, too, that you can save money with little loss of impact by choosing gems that are a few points below the magic sizes of 0.50 ct, 0.75 ct, 1.00 ct, etc. But don’t use carat weight as your only criterion for deciding. A poorly cut diamond won’t have much brightness, fire, or scintillation. It will look dull and lifeless – hardly the statement you want to make. Likewise, a diamond that is too low on the D-to-Z color scale may have a pronounced yellowish or brownish tinge. And an I3 diamond may appear darker or more opaque.
You’ll find diamond stud earrings in a variety of shapes and cuts. Each has its unique charms and appeal. Because of this, there is no objective best shape or cut.
You’ll have two main choices when buying your diamond stud earrings: a jewelry store or an online retailer. One key takeaway: Make sure your purchase can be returned or exchanged if you are unsatisfied.
