Diamond stud earrings are the “little black dress” of jewelry. Like the little black dress, diamond studs are a classic and timeless option that can add immense versatility to one’s wardrobe. Also like the little black dress, diamond studs come in different styles. Diamond stud earrings can be made with different diamond shapes, diamond sizes, setting styles, and precious metal colors, leaving quite a bit of room for customization.

The key to choosing the right diamond studs for you is to consider how each element of a pair of diamond studs will work with when and how you’d like to wear your studs. When you have a pair of diamond studs that’s perfectly tailored to your style needs, you’ll be able to enjoy wearing them even more than you would a little black dress that’s perfectly tailored to your silhouette. So, to help you find your ideal studs, below, we’re going over the five elements of diamond studs you need to consider when shopping for your perfect pair.

1. Diamond Shape

Diamond shape is the shape a diamond has been cut into, such as round, princess, or oval. There are many diamond shapes, which fall into either one of two categories: round diamonds and fancy shaped diamonds. Round brilliant cut diamonds are so popular that they stand in a category all of their own, while every other diamond shape falls into the fancy shaped diamond category. Examples of fancy shaped diamonds include cushion cut, pear shaped, marquise cut, radiant cut, asscher cut, emerald cut, oval cut, heart shaped, and princess cut diamonds.

When picking out the best diamond shape for your studs, your style preference should be your main consideration. Each diamond shape has its own unique style. Round diamonds are very popular because they’re incredibly classic in style. Then, asscher cut, emerald cut, and cushion cut diamonds are all loved for their vintage look, while oval cut diamonds are a traditional and elegant option. Pear shaped, marquise cut, and heart shaped diamonds are ideal for those drawn to their strikingly unique looks, while princess cut and radiant cut are perfect for those who love modern glamour.

2. Diamond Carat Weight

Diamond carat weight is a weight measurement that can give you a good idea of a diamond’s size. The carat weight you choose for your diamond stud earrings will have a defining impact on your studs’ impact. The higher the carat weight, the more bold and eye-catching the studs.

It’s very important to note that diamond studs will be listed by their total carat weight, which is denoted by the abbreviation “ctw” or “cttw.” Total carat weight is the sum total of all the diamonds in a piece of jewelry. In a pair of solitaire studs, the pair’s total carat weight would be the sum total of the two center diamonds in the earrings. For example, if a pair of solitaire diamond studs is listed with a carat weight of “2 ctw,” each diamond in the pair is a 1 carat diamond. Remember this as you shop for diamond studs so that you do not accidentally end up with diamonds that are half the size you thought they would be.

So, with that said, which total carat weight should you choose? People often wonder if there’s a best carat weight for diamond stud earrings. Really, there’s no one “best” carat weight for diamond studs, only the carat weight that best works for your personal preferences. However, knowing the most popular size for diamond stud earrings can be an excellent starting point for finding your ideal size.

The most popular carat weight for diamond stud earrings is 1 ctw. In a pair of diamond stud earrings, each diamond would weigh 0.5 carats. If these 0.5 carat diamonds are round, they would each measure approximately 4.1 mm in diameter. 1 ctw diamond studs are a popular choice because they are right in between delicate and bold. Studs with a lower carat weight than 1 ctw will look more understated, while studs with a higher carat weight will look more glamorous. This makes the 1 ctw mark quite versatile. A pair of 1 ctw studs may look more subtle or more bold depending on how they are styled.

To give you an idea of what different total carat weights look like, let’s examine a few examples.
A halo setting features a brilliant ring, or halo, of diamonds around your center diamonds. Halo settings add beautiful brilliance to a pair of diamond studs. They also amp up the impact of a pair of diamond studs, since they can give the illusion that your center diamonds are larger than they actually are. This makes halo settings a wonderful option for those who prefer a more glamorous look.

5. Precious Metal

Last up in our guide, we have the precious metal factor. A diamond stud’s setting can be made in any precious metal. Most commonly, diamond studs will feature either white gold, yellow gold, platinum, or rose gold settings.

If you already have a favorite precious metal, you can simply choose that option when you’re buying diamond stud earrings. However, if you’re unsure which precious metal you’d prefer for your studs, you may want to choose your metal based on either its style or how flattering it would look on your skin tone. Not sure about the style or undertones of the four common precious metals? Here are some notes to help you better understand each of your options:

• Yellow Gold: A highly traditional precious metal with a classic style and warm undertones.
• White Gold: A chic and stylish precious metal with cool undertones.
• Rose Gold: A romantic, vintage-style precious metal with universally flattering neutral undertones.
• Platinum: A hypoallergenic option with cool undertones and an elegant, sophisticated style.

Final Thoughts on Picking Out the Best Diamond Studs

There you have it: our guide to picking out the best diamond studs for you! If you have any questions about diamond studs that are not answered in this guide, please feel free to contact us by phone or email, or speak with a member of our team when you drop by our jewelry store. We’d love to chat with you and answer any questions you may have.