Here Is The Ultimate Guide to Buying Diamond Earrings
Jasmine Fox-Suliaman
Thu, 05 Oct 2023
Who What Wear
Class is in session.
Hard truth coming at you... not all shopping is created equal. Here at Who What Wear, we understand there's a fundamental difference in how one might shop for more frivolous fashion trends versus making long-term investments in luxury items. Don't get us wrong; it can sometimes feel damn near impossible to muster the willpower not to buy every single trend taking off on TikTok. But still, generally, it requires far more research, more funds, and more patience through the process of shopping for any luxury item—albeit designer bags, shoes, or jewelry. The latter being the most challenging thing of all. Sure, some of us might have an engagement ring saved on our Pinterest with no suitor in sight or have a few jewelry brands on our radars. But having all the knowledge you need to be able to buy diamond jewelry? That's a whole other story. It can be overwhelming, but luckily for you, we’re here to make the process a bit easier—at least when you're in the market for a pair of diamond earrings. We did extensive research to break down how to shop for diamond earrings, with general need-to-know information. Plus, we shopped out the 35 best diamond earrings based on timeless shapes, price points, reviews, brand recognition, runway trends, environmental impact, and the ever-important 4Cs (definition to come). Say sayonara to your shopping-related stress, as this is your crash course in all things diamond-related.
Unlike costume jewelry, shopping for diamond earrings requires more knowledge, research, and intentionality to ensure you make the best possible investment. While the best diamonds for you will always be based on your budget and personal style, you should keep a few things in mind to make the process easier. 1. Determine your budget: Before you even begin searching for diamond earrings, know how much you're willing to spend. The cost of diamonds always depends upon whether the gemstone is lab-grown or natural, the brand name, and the 4C's. 2. Familiarize yourself with the 4Cs: A shorthand term used by experts in the diamond industry, the 4Cs refer to carat, cut, color, and clarity. Carat count always indicates the diamond's weight, cut refers to the shape, color is whether the diamond is colorless or not, and clarity refers to the gemstone's shine. Knowing each of these terms will ensure you don't get confused throughout the shopping process. 3. Get cozy with carat counts: Reminder that carat count refers to the diamond's weight, not its size. It's an essential distinction because opting for bigger gemstones doesn't always mean they'll be better. The carat weight of a diamond should always be mindful of cut, as an excellent cut small diamond can look just as dazzling as a larger pair of diamond earrings with a bad cut. Think of it like a haircut: if your stylist gets the angles wrong, it can diminish your natural beauty—the same goes for diamonds.
4. Pick your preferred diamond cut: Not to sound like a broken record, but the shape (or cut) you choose for diamonds can impact how brilliant the stone is in the light. It also can be the defining difference between if you find a pair of diamond earrings pretty or ugly, so make sure you know what you like upfront. A wide range of cut options are available for you, including round, princess, cushion, oval, baguette, heart, pearl, emerald, marquise, and so on. 5. Determine what diamond color you desire: While popular marketing has cemented the idea that all diamonds are rare, the truth is that some gemstone colors are actually rarer than others. The most ubiquitous gemstones are colorless, and the rest exist on a scale. Typically, the more irregular stones come in brown, yellow, green, blue, purple, pink, and red—the latter being the most scarce. 6. Keep gemstone clarity in mind: Clarity is the term that diamond experts use to describe how much a diamond has imperfections or inclusions—aka dirt that's been logged in the diamond as it formed. Flawless diamonds are typically rarer, but it is possible to find a diamond with minimal imperfections that are invisible to the naked eye. 7. Pay attention to metals and settings: While most might consider diamond settings a more pivotal part of shopping for engagement rings, it's just as imperative for earrings. How the diamond is set can determine its overall durability—whether it will fall out in the ocean like Kim Kardashian's earring did or if it will stand the test of time. It's also important to consider the type of metal the setting is made from. Anything that's only been coated in silver or gold but has a different metal base is more likely to chip over time or irritate those with sensitive ears. You want to look for earring settings made fully from gold or silver to ensure they retain their value over time.
8. Audit your jewelry collection: It can be overwhelming to decide what type of earrings to buy, especially when there are so many different styles of diamond earrings—from studs to hoops to climbers to cuffs to huggies to chandeliers, the list goes on. But before you commit to any silhouette, consider auditing your jewelry collection to determine what style you'd wear the most or what's missing from your arsenal so that you don't invest in a pair of earrings you rarely wear. 9. Ask for certification: Diamond earrings aren't cheap, so when shopping, make sure that anything you purchase comes with a certification from a reputable gemological laboratory. The document will verify your diamond earring's quality and characteristics to ensure they live up to their price tag. It's also an excellent document to have on hand if you ever decide to resell them. 10. Pull the receipts: When shopping for diamond earrings, it's crucial to pull evidence that your purchase will be the best possible investment for your needs. There are two ways you can do this: to compare prices across various jewelry stores and online retailers to ensure you're getting the best deal. And the second is to read reviews from shoppers. Considering both of these things will ensure you have the receipts that confirm you're making an informed decision. Ready to shop? Keep scrolling for our roundup of the best diamond earrings for women based on reviews, quality, popular silhouettes, trends, and editorial perspective.
Reviewer Highlight: "I received a smaller pair of diamond studs years ago, but I wanted to buy a new pair—these did the trick! I opted to go with the 1/2 carat total weight pair, and I'm glad I did, as they're the perfect size for my small ears. I probably could have been just as happy with the 3/4 pair, but I didn't want to spend more if I didn't have to. They have the perfect amount of sparkle at a reasonable price and are something that I can easily wear every day."
Reviewer Highlight: "I was searching for the perfect gift to give my bridesmaids and found these. All the girls love them and wear them all the time! Thanks to Stone And Strand for all the help while ordering and making sure I received them diamond studs on time."
Editor Highlight: If you're on a tighter budget, it's worth considering purchasing lab-grown diamonds as they offer the same quality without the higher prices. And with brands like Pandora adhering to the World Jewellery Confederation (CIBJO) standards for manufactured gems, you can be rest assured these are still a solid long-term investment.
Editor Highlight: It's no secret that the diamond industry has been historically dirty, but White/Space is changing that one piece at a time. The Los Angeles-based fine jewelry label not only operates on a made-to-order model, but the brand only uses recycled gold and conflict-free diamonds that have undergone the Kimberley process certification. Making these earrings an all-around sound purchase.
Editor Highlight: We've seen lab-grown diamonds surge in popularity—for a good reason! While these human-created diamonds aren't for everyone, buying them has numerous benefits. For example, they have a higher rate of clarity since they're not exposed to dirt, create less damage to ecosystems, and are far easier to track from a labor perspective.
Reviewer Highlight: "I adore dainty jewelry that has exceptional details and quality, and these David Yurman stud earrings are it! They are the perfect size for everyday wear, with tons of sparkle and a high-quality 18K gold material. I love the setting; it's so detailed and pretty while still being delicate and elegant. I've been searching for a long time for the perfect pair of stud earrings, and these are the winners."
Editor Highlight: Although founded in 1879, Birks remains a beloved fine jeweler to this day because of its craftsmanship and nature-inspired pieces. One of its most popular offerings is the "Snowflake collection," which has been spotted on the likes of Meghan Markle and is known for its usage of diamond clusters meant to mimic snow (see above).
Editor Highlight: Not all diamond earrings live up to their price tags, but then again, not all options can be from De Beers Forevermark. The jeweler is arguably one of the best places to shop for diamond earrings in the world, as each stone is sustainably sourced and goes through a rigorous certification process that marks it as a Forevermark diamond—aka the highest quality gemstones.
Reviewer Highlight: "First, let me first start by saying that this ear crawler is the chicest little jewelry piece I have ever owned—the moment I put it on, I instantly felt "cool." But the craftsmanship is out of this world! I don't even have the vocabulary to describe how gorgeous this little diamond earring is, but the amount of sparkle these diamonds have and the way the gold shines is everything. If you're contemplating purchasing this don't even think about it, just do it."
Reviewer Highlight: "These are gorgeous diamond earrings! They are the perfect size, have a nice design with diamonds, and have a decent thickness to them. Well worth the money, very nicely priced as seen similar to these elsewhere were much more expensive."
Editor Highlight: If you're ready to take the plunge on investing in a pair of diamond earrings, there's arguably no better place to do just that than at Tiffany & Co. The historic jeweler offers just about anything you could want—although we recommend these pave-set hoop earrings as they're a timeless purchase.
Reviewer Highlight: "I love these earrings! They are classy, sparkly, and beautiful! They are on the smaller side and are very dainty. I prefer the latch clasp because I feel like it stays in my ear better than other styles, so this is exactly what I was looking for. Hoping these beauties last a long, long time."
Editor Highlight: Since its launch in 2015, the Singapore-based brand State Property has been beloved in the international community for its signature sculptural pieces. Frankly, we get it with a pair of earrings featuring a squiggly chandelier shape made from 18k yellow gold and filled with 1.28ct white diamonds it's hard not to love this brand.
Editor Highlight: Featuring an oval-shaped sapphire with a halo of diamonds, these earrings are what we'd imagine royalty wearing.
Editor Highlight: Fine jewelry can sometimes feel "stuffy," but the Black-owned label Mateo is changing that. Founded in 2009, the brand has become the go-to brand among celebs, style insiders, and jewelry fanatics because of its contemporary approach to pearls. Pieces often have sculptural elements, diamonds, and colorful gemstones.
Reviewer Highlight: "The diamonds are large, and the style is modern and fun. love them!!"
Editor Highlight: No need to choosing one diamond cut, as this Swarovski ear cuff features round, oval, cushion, and marquise shaped lab-grown gems.
Reviewer Highlight: "I wore these during my wedding and have worn them practically every day since. The earrings are absolutely stunning in person and the perfect size. They’ve been very sturdy in my ear since I’ve worn them every day (including at night), which makes the price feel worth it."
Editor Highlight: For those with multiple piercings, this chain-link Anita Ko earring will up your earscape game.
Reviewer Highlight: "Loving my new double bar diamond studs, I went with half black diamonds and love how you can make that change, my earrings feel unique. They're super sparkly diamonds, sizable on my ear while still looking dainty. Think they would look great in a second hole as well. Would love to mention how adorable the packaging was, made gifting myself even more fun!"
Editor Highlight: Handmade in Los Angeles, KatKim's jewelry always features sculptural silhouttes made from responsibly sourced metals and conflict-free diamonds.
Editor Highlight: Monica Vinader's approach to fine jewelry has won them the prestigious Butterfly Mark certification—aka an award for luxury brands that meet the highest standards for sustainability.
Editor Highlight: Emeralds, rubies, aquamarines, sapphires, and diamonds wrapped up into one pair of earrings? Here for it.
Editor Highlight: The Black-Owned jewelry brand Harwell Godfrey has become renowned in the fashion world. What sets this brand apart (besides the fact it sources ethical gemstones) is how it incorporates geometric shapes and patterns into each piece to create visually intriguing jewelry.
Reviewer Highlight: "These stud earrings are just what I was looking for! They're the perfect set to wear at work or for formal occasions."
Editor Highlight: All of Tabayer's jewelry uses conflict-free Kimberley-certified diamonds so that you can be rest assured they don't negatively impact mining communities.
Editor Highlight: Looking for a pair of earrings that are a bit more fun? Turn to the AAPI-founded jewelry brand Mimi So. With a fine jewelry offering that centers on surrealist silhouttes and colorful gemstones, it's the place you can find a cheerful pair for your collection.
Editor Highlight: Investing in a pair of two-tone diamond earrings will ensure you get maximum wear out of them.
Editor Highlight: Another brand that offers eco-friendly diamond earring options? Kinn Studios. The Los Angeles-based brand sources all of its diamonds ethically and uses recycled metals.
Editor Highlight: Now, here's a pair of diamond earrings you'll want to get your hands on (excuse the pun).
Editor Highlight: No one pairs diamonds and colorful gemstones as beautifully as the female-founded jewelry brand Eriness.
Editor Highlight: The white diamond pavé scales on these snake-shaped earrings are sending me.
Reviewer Highlight: "These diamond solitaire studs are beautiful. I loved the fact they are screw-backs, as they stay in place. They look just like they were described, and they really sparkle!"
Editor Highlight: Why opt for the traditionally set diamond earrings when you can have these chain-drop ones?
Editor Highlight: With a prong setting around the base of these hoops, the round-cut diamonds are sure to shine brighter than any other pair of hoops on the market.
