Top Tips For Buying Diamond Earrings
Diamond stud earrings are a staple for jewellery collections. The ideal gift, whether for romantic partners, family members or best friends, they are universally admired and easy to wear for any occasion.
Diamond stud earrings offer versatility. They are timeless and easy to dress up for a statement look or paired down for more casual events. For all genders, styles and personalities, diamond earrings can be a go-to piece of jewellery to add a touch of sparkle to any outfit.
The challenge is that even for something as simple as diamond stud earrings, there is a wealth of choices. However, knowing exactly what you’re looking for can help you find the perfect pair, especially with the endless choice available when buying vintage or pre-owned diamond earrings. To help you find the perfect pair of diamond stud earrings, here are some top tips that can help.
Consider the shape
The shape of the diamond is one of the big deciding factors when choosing a pair of earrings. There are many different diamond cuts, and each offers a distinctive look:
Princess/Square Cut – Princess cut diamonds have a square shape with clean, precise lines and geometry. Princess cut is a classic shape that still appears modern. The light catches the cut of the diamond, making a princess cut ideal for those who want extra sparkle from their earrings.
Round/Brilliant Cut – For a classic look, a round cut to create a diamond circle is typically the most popular shape for diamond earrings, and around 75% of diamonds sold are with a round cut. A brilliant round cut is known for its sparkle, thanks to the 58 individual facets a round cut contains.
Marquise – This is a more unusual shape and is ideal if you’re looking for diamond earrings with a difference. The marquise shape is an oval with two pointed ends and is a nod to 18th-century royalty. The cut is regal and unusual, which makes the marquise a fantastic cut for attracting attention.
Emerald cut – An emerald cut is a rectangular shape coined because it was a popular cut for emeralds during the height of their popularity in the 1920s. As a result, the emerald cut is synonymous with the Art Deco period and gives a vintage feel to diamond stud earrings.
Asscher – Considered a rare diamond cut, the Asscher cut is square in shape but with clipped corners to further amplify the sparkle. This cut is a real nod to vintage style and is common across antique pieces.
Cushion/Pillow cut – With a rectangular shape with softer corners, this cut increases radiance and impact but with a soft romanticism. This cut for diamond stud earrings gives the nod to 1950s glamour.
Pear cut – Offering a stunning look, the teardrop shape of a pear cut is a luxurious finish and is popular with Haute Couture fashions. In addition, the pear cut is a twinkling shape and is the ideal in-between for fans of marquise and round cuts.
The sparkle factor
As well as the shape of the diamond, another consideration is the sparkle that the cut provides, known as brilliance. The shape can affect the brilliance, so it is well worth considering how sparkly you would like the diamond earrings to be. If you’re looking for a more understated and subtle look, emerald and Asscher cuts are considered brilliant. In contrast, the most brilliant is a round cut which delivers maximum light reflection and sparkle. Pear and Marquise cuts are considered ‘exceptionally brilliant’ and have a high level of reflection after a round cut. Princess and cushion cut are both described as highly brilliant.
Choosing a setting
Another factor to consider in the design of diamond earrings is the setting in which the diamond is placed. The setting can significantly change the look of the earring, so it’s another factor to consider when buying the perfect vintage pair of diamond earrings.
Settings include;
A bezel setting – With this, there is a solid border of precious metal that fully encases the diamond in the middle. A bezel setting offers a high level of protection for the diamond. The border can be in a contrasting colour, such as yellow gold around the white diamond, or may be in complementing white gold or platinum.
Halo setting – To add further brilliance to diamond earrings, a halo setting surrounds the central diamond with smaller diamonds. This helps make the main diamond look bigger than it is and adds extra sparkle.
A prong setting – For a classic and elegant approach, a prong setting puts all of the focus on the diamond. A prong setting, also known as a martini setting, carefully holds the diamond in place while exposing the side of the diamond to allow more light to shine through, increasing its brilliance.
Remember the 4Cs
Finally, another consideration when purchasing diamond earrings is to get to know the 4 Cs of diamond quality. This includes the carat, clarity, colour and cut of the diamond.
When purchasing vintage pieces, ensuring the diamond is well cut will help to increase its brilliance and ensure your diamond earrings continue to sparkle. The carat and colour of the diamond are often seen as slightly less important for diamond earrings compared to their importance in rings due to how diamond earrings are viewed, often from a distance.
However, asking about these aspects while browsing for earrings can help ensure you find the best vintage jewellery available.
Start the search for a pair of beautiful vintage diamond earrings, or speak to our team if you’re looking to source a specific style or design of diamond earrings, and our team will gladly assist you.