Archive for July, 2011

How to Choose Large Diamond Stud Earrings

While simple stud earrings are considered a jewelry staple, most of these pieces of jewelry are quite small.   However, there is a new trend of using stones as large as two carat diamonds in earrings.  Here’s a short guide to choosing large diamonds for those who would like such diamonds.

First, read about diamonds.  Read about the 4C’s – color, carat weight, clarity and color.  This will allow you to choose your diamonds easily and without having to rely on a jeweler who may be overeager to sell something you do not want.  In addition, keep in mind that a set of stud earrings consists of two earrings that are each set with one stone and set in a minimalist setting.  The common settings used are bezel and prong settings and the most common diamonds used are round brilliant and princess diamonds.  For this reason, it is a good idea to read about settings as well.

Once you’ve done this, visit a few stores to do some price comparisons and to see what sort of diamonds different stores carry.  In addition, make sure to look at the diamonds you use in natural light so that you can see if there are any inclusions that are obvious to the naked eye.  Also make sure that the diamonds have been certified and can be appraised.

Before buying, compare with several online retailers.  This is highly recommended to those on a budget because online retailers are generally more affordable than brick-and-mortar stores.    In addition, if you decide to buy online, research the company to find out what other’s experiences were like so you can pick the company with the best reputation.