Diamond earrings are an essential in every woman’s collection. This timeless piece of jewellery holds a lot of value, making special occasions more special, and becoming an heirloom that connects generations. However, many people lack the knowledge needed when selecting a pair of diamond earrings, leading them to get fooled often or spend more than they are worth. In this Sunshine Diamonds ultimate guide for buying gold and diamond earrings, we help you understand how you can choose the right gold or diamond earring, equipped with details of the various factors that separate a stunning earring from an ordinary one.
Without further delay, we explore the numerous factors you must take into consideration before buying a pair of diamond earrings.
Diamond has been a symbol of status since time immemorial, with its roots going back to India. The existence of earrings can be traced back to the Egyptian and Mesopotamian civilizations where they were adorned by the wealthy and high-status individuals. However, the proliferation of diamond jewellery, including earrings, happened around the 19th century when huge deposits of diamonds were discovered in Africa. Over the centuries, these have evolved in terms of design, style, clarity, shapes, sizes, settings, and more, bringing variety to suit diverse style choices.
The primary piece of information you need to have before buying diamond earrings is the 4Cs of buying them. The 4Cs refer to the cut, colour, clarity, and carat of the diamonds.
Cut: The cut of the diamond refers to its shape and how it has been polished. The more meticulous the cut, the better the reflection of light, and the greater the sparkle. When buying diamond earrings, paying close attention to this is key.
Colour: The colour of the diamond is the element which determines its grade. The grades based on colour range from the scale of D for colourless and Z for light brown or yellow coloured diamonds. With regards to earrings, pieces with a grade range from G-I indicate the optimal balance of value and quality.
Clarity: Clarity is how many imperfections a diamond has. For the purpose of earrings, those with relatively lower grades, like SI or VS, work well since earrings are viewed from far away. The lower grades allow you to get slightly cheaper earrings without compromising the look.
Carat: The last C or the 4Cs is the carat or the weight of the diamond. The weight impacts its size, so when choosing earrings, it is essential to find an option based on use. For daily use, smaller earrings would be better, and for special occasions, bigger earrings are the best.
Diamonds are set in different metal options, particularly yellow gold, white gold, rose gold, or platinum. Which metal you choose will impact how the earrings look. While yellow gold offers a warmer look and is compatible with many skin tones, white gold and platinum offer a more modern and elegant look, and rose gold gives a vintage appeal to the earrings.
Knowing the different diamond shapes can also help you choose the ideal earring set for yourself. There are numerous shape options to choose from, including the more traditional and popular options like round, princess, and oval, which offer a timeless class and appeal, as well as more modern options like emerald, heart, marquise, pear, cushion, radiant, and Asscher which all add a distinctive look.
In addition to the metal and the shape of the diamond, it is also essential to focus on the setting type to ensure your earrings are durable. Common setting types include:
Prong: This is a highly durable setting in which metal prongs hold the diamond in place.
Bezel: This is a more modern setting type and adds a contemporary appeal with protection.
Halo: The halo setting is one where the big diamond is encircled by smaller diamonds, giving the piece an elevated look.
Pave: This setting features small diamonds held close together strongly with a metal band.
Considering backing options is yet another choice to make. Screwbacks and push backs are the most common options found in varied types of earrings, including studs, drop earrings, etc. However, lever backs are also very popular, especially in earring types like hoops.
Based on your usage and budget, considering the diamond quality and size is critical. For daily use, smaller diamonds, typically between the range of 0.25 to 0.50 carats, would be optimal. Bigger diamonds going up to 1-2 carats are quite large, ideal for making a statement on special occasions.
Certification and grading are also key considerations to be paid attention to. Ask for standardised certifications which verify the 4Cs parameters of the diamond. Thorough assessments of the diamonds through authorised associations guarantee their authenticity.
The key aspect which will determine how well the diamond sparkles is the cut of the diamond. Irrespective of which shape you choose, if the diamond is cut precisely and meticulously, it will shine brightly. Grades like excellent or very good are the only options you should be looking at.
Gold purity is another factor to consider. Based on the kind of gold you choose, the purity can vary. While yellow gold is available up to 24 karat, white and rose gold options typically go up to 18 karat purity. Moreover, the higher the purity, the softer the gold becomes easier to twist or even break. Choosing between 18 to 22 karats is ideal.
In addition to these factors, a number of other factors also need to be considered when purchasing diamond earrings, including the following:
- Personal style and preferences: When buying earrings, it is essential to choose something that makes you happy. Since diamond earrings are available in a wide variety of options, there is something for everyone.
- Budget considerations: Diamond earrings are expensive. The higher its grade, the more expensive they will be. Choose a pair that fits your budget, but keep your budget realistic by doing some research about the ongoing price.
- Face shape and skin tone: considering your face shape and skin tone is essential for selecting which metal and shape of the diamond would suit you best. For instance, if you have a round face, longer earrings like an oval cut would look the best on you.
- Occasions: The occasion for which you are purchasing is another key element. If you are purchasing earrings for a special or formal occasion, you can opt for bigger and more showy earrings.
Diamond earrings are available in a diverse variety of styles, allowing buyers to choose the best option that suits their needs.
A. Stud earrings: A classic style, the stud earring is a timeless earring option that will suit anyone and any occasion. Since these are typically available in a variety of shapes like round, oval, heart, square, rectangle, and more, it is best to choose one that matches your face shape and purpose of use perfectly.
B. Drop earrings: Drop earrings are those that dangle under the earlobe. The length of the dangling portion can vary, making diverse varieties of these suitable for varied purposes. These give a very elegant look to the person who wears them, and designs can range from very minimal and simple to highly intricate patterns. If you plan to buy something for formal occasions, this is a great choice.
C. Hoop earrings: Hoop earrings are versatile and suitable for both formal and informal occasions. However, how well the earring goes with either or both types of occasions depends on factors like size, circumference, and thickness. Typically these earrings feature encrusted diamonds along the hoop, so the thickness also defines the size of the diamonds.
D. Gemstone Earrings: If you do not want a simple diamond earring pair, gemstone earrings might be the right option. These feature gemstones like sapphire, emerald, or others in addition to the diamond. These give a hint of colour and add a little more flair to the earrings, making them a very appealing choice.
E. Black Diamond Earrings: When people think of diamonds, they think of crystal clear transparent ones, which is what makes black diamond earrings such a bold statement piece of jewellery. If you like to add a little mystery and intrigue to your outfits or simply stand out, these might be just what you need. These are edgy and dramatic and have a distinctive shine to them.
F. Cluster Earrings: Cluster earrings are an elegant and sophisticated piece of jewellery that can elevate your looks. The setting includes a cluster of small diamonds to form a larger pattern — floral, heart, round, geometric, and so on. They are an appealing and versatile choice of accessory for everyday and special occasions, adding sparkle and shine.
Our SunshineDiamonds ultimate guide for gold and diamond earrings would be incomplete without some important information about the ways to care about your earrings. These precious earrings need to be kept properly to ensure they retain their shine and sparkle for decades. Here are some practices you must incorporate into your maintenance routine:
In order to maintain your earrings for a long time, it is essential to keep them clean and remove any dirt and impurities they may have been exposed to. If you wear the jewellery daily, make sure you clean it regularly with a jewellery cleaner and a soft brush or a gentle cloth. Avoid exposing them to harsh chemicals, as these can damage the surface.
Storing your precious jewellery pieces properly is essential. Make sure you prepare a box with cotton or get a soft-lined box or pouch to store your pieces in. This helps them prevent getting scratched and keeps the pieces from getting tangled together. By keeping them safely in a secure place, you can ensure that the earrings keep looking new for decades.
If you did not already know this, it is good practice to take your gold or diamond jewellery for professional servicing at least once every year. This way, you can make sure that the diamond settings are proper, and the jeweller can fix any loose settings or scratches as best possible and even clean the earrings thoroughly.
What grade of diamond is best for earrings?
Diamond grades vary for different types of jewellery. As far as earrings are concerned, you should look for clarity grades like VS1 or SI1 and colour grades between the range of G and I. These are the best to ensure that you get a good value for the earrings, as well as a stunning piece of jewellery.
How many carats should an earring be?
Carats represent the weight of the diamond earring, which is why it is essential to choose this wisely. For regular wear earrings, the carat range should be between 0.25 and 0.50. However, if you wish to buy for special occasions, you can go up to 1 or 2 carats.
What quality diamond should I buy for earrings?
When it comes to the quality of the diamonds, this is one of the most important factors that should determine which earring you choose. Opt for designs that are either ‘very good’ or ‘excellent’. These grades ensure the highest quality of the earrings.
What are hallmark gold earrings?
Hallmark in gold earrings refers to a certification that verifies the purity of the metal. A recognized authority issues the hallmark, and every piece of gold jewellery you buy, including diamond earrings set in gold, should have this. If this is not present on the jewellery, it would call into question its authenticity.
Is KDM 22K or 24k?
In gold jewellery, KDM refers to the process of gold soldering. During this process, cadmium is used to facilitate it. KDM is typically used for 22 Karat gold pieces and represents a purity of 91.6% of the metal. The remaining percentage is for the alloy elements used to strengthen the metal further.
What does 916 mean on gold?
916 gold refers to 22-karat gold. The 916 represents the gold purity in the jewellery, signifying that 91.6% of the metal is pure gold, and the remainder is all the alloys used to strengthen it, making it suitable for designing intricate jewellery pieces. This kind of gold is used extensively for jewellery making. It is considered the ideal option to buy since it offers high purity but is also durable for creating comprehensive designs.
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