It’s easy to understand why diamond stud earrings have been fashionable since the late 1800s. They have a remarkable ability to switch between subtlety and glitz – you can wear them from day to night, with pants or ball gowns.
But how do you pick the perfect earrings? Are diamond earring setting types so important?
Each style and setting type has unique performance characteristics, such as sparkle and safety. When deciding on the best setting type for diamond stud earrings, rings, or necklaces, examine the design features – and see if they might direct you to the proper choice.
Knowing how different diamond settings impact the quantity of light refracted should be a factor in this decision – along with one’s particular style and preference, of course.
This detailed overview of diamond studs will assist you in selecting the best pair for you – so be sure to stick around!
Selecting A Setting Type
The design should be the first factor considered when selecting a diamond stud earring setting. Your selection of setting style has the most effects on the final design of your studs – and it may also influence how suitable your studs are to your personality.
Here are your options:
Bezel Setting
Bezel settings offer two significant advantages: They have a contemporary appearance and provide excellent protection.
This type of stud setting, which is usually exclusively used for round diamonds, secures a center gem by surrounding it in a metal frame.
Furthermore, there are two types of bezel settings – fully covered and half-covered.
A full-case setting completely encircles the diamond, whereas a half-case one keeps the sides exposed.
This metal ring frame offers excellent security for diamonds and other jewels, making a bezel setting a suitable pick for anyone who leads a more active life.
Additionally, bezel settings are pretty elegant, making them an excellent choice for anybody who appreciates their trendy, modern design.
On the other hand, unlike a prong setting, this setting type will conceal more of your gem, which could lessen its brightness and light reflection.
Halo Setting
Halo settings include a central diamond surrounded by a ring of tiny diamonds. Pavé diamonds are commonly used as little decorative gems in this design.
Although a solitary halo setting is the most common, earrings with dual halos – two concentric rings encircling the central diamond – are also available. You’ll get a greater diamond surface area – as well as a lot of glitters.
The most appealing aspect of this setting is how nicely it complements the central stone and tends to make your earrings look bigger. In addition, if the center and side gems are different hues, the halo setting attracts attention to the central stone.
A clash of hues and brightness enhances its aesthetic attractiveness.
The halo setting secures the central diamond while also improving the look of a smaller center diamond. Furthermore, it accommodates a wide range of diamond forms.
Halo settings require special attention, though, because the tiny diamonds that encircle the big, central stone can easily slip out.
Related Read: How To Prevent Pave Diamonds From Falling Out?
Prong Setting
The prong setting, often known as the claw setting, is among the most popular and “traditional” diamond settings.
The gemstone in this type of setting is secured with a tiny amount of metal, allowing more of the diamond to be seen, leading to increased brightness.
The prongs in this setting encircle your gem, firmly holding it in place. Three, four, six, or eight prongs are usually available.
Earrings featuring diamonds placed in precious metal are appropriate for daily use, but unlike a diamond engagement ring, they are a reduced contact item of jewelry. As a result, they’re much less prone to getting bumped or scratched.
Therefore, the diamond is frequently held in place by three or four prongs.
The first downside of this type of setting type is that the gem is more prone to built-up dirt and debris since it’s not encircled with metal. It might also cling to clothes or get caught in your hair, for example.
It’s generally recommended to have your prongs examined regularly to ensure that the diamond is still secure – since it might get loose with time.
Three-Prong Setting
While three-prong settings aren’t recommended for diamond rings, they are an excellent option for diamond earrings. Why?
This minimal prong design enables more of the gem to be visible, maximizing the light return to the diamond and giving it a remarkable brilliance. The three-prong setting might also create the impression of a bigger diamond by allowing a better view of the circle.
It adds a distinctive, asymmetrical design to diamond jewelry while still allowing the diamond to be in the center of attention.
An open three-prong setting on the Martini diamond earrings allows maximum light to enter the diamond. These three prongs in martini earrings form a V shape that resembles a martini glass – hence the name of this type.
Furthermore, these earrings generally boast decent durability.
The only downside of this style is that, although it is appropriate for earrings, it is a less secure solution for individuals who wear earrings every day – especially during sports or other activities.
Oh, and one more thing: It’s recommendable for diamonds under 1.50 carats.
Four-Prong Setting
A four-prong setting for diamond earrings is a brilliant option since it provides a nice blend of protection and elegance.
Looking at it from the side, the prongs and the flat base of the installation resemble a basket.
Though studs are a low-contact jewelry item, a four-prong setting provides the assurance that if one of the prongs becomes damaged over time due to daily wear and tear, the diamond will stay in place until it is repaired.
While we’re at it, here’s some advice: Retrieve any jewelry with fractured prongs and keep it in a safe location until it gets fixed.
Four-prong settings with an open shape may enable a lot of light to reach the gem and give it great brilliance. This type of setting is ideal for diamonds weighing less than 2.0 carats.
Furthermore, this style is suitable for a wide range of diamond shapes – and is perfect for daily wear.
The only negative side is that, because the prongs occupy a larger surface area, they distort the look of tiny diamonds.
Six-Prong Setting
Six-prong settings transform a gem by decorating it with a delicate crown that emphasizes the roundness of the central diamond.
This setting provides the stone with proper security, assuring longevity even with daily wear. The prongs will cover a broader surface area of the diamond than four and three-prong settings – yet light can still penetrate the gem.
This setting is particularly suitable for big diamonds weighing more than 2.0 carats. Even though a six-prong setting can sometimes be used with any carat weight, gemstones below two carats tend to lose some luster beneath the prongs.
Plus, this degree of security is only necessary when the earrings include bigger diamonds.
Remember that the diamond’s surface area is reduced as the number of prongs increases. And to add to it, increased claws in diamond studs also raise the odds of long hair becoming stuck around them.
Learn More: 4 Prong Vs. 6 Prong: Which Diamond Ring Setting Is Better?
Eight-Prong Setting
A setting with eight prongs is exceptionally sturdy and emphasizes the contour of the main gem. Whereas this setting is ideal for big diamond rings, this amount of prongs is rarely necessary for earrings.
However, if you’re eyeing a pair of diamond earrings weighing 3 carats or more, an eight-prong setting will provide you with the assurance that your diamonds are as safe as possible while still being shown in an open setting.
The likelihood of “drooping” – this is when a diamond earring gets heavy on the owner, causing it to droop – grows as the carat weight increases, though.
If you’re looking at diamonds weighing more than 3.0 carats, we propose an eight-prong setting with screw backs. Screw backs keep the earring in position and prevent it from falling off due to the weight of a bigger diamond.
Illusion Setting
The illusion setting is exactly what it sounds like: Smaller diamonds are typically put side by side held from underneath, giving the illusion of a bigger carat single stone.
It’s a more complex setting, usually seen with princess cut diamonds.
Dangle Setting
Dangle settings are more opulent and spectacular and can include anything from four-prong to bezel settings with a variety of gemstone form alternatives. The diamonds will dangle with every movement, causing more light refraction – and enhancing the sparkle.
Dangle settings are a luxurious and exquisite alternative that may enhance the radiance of your diamonds by catching the light with your every gesture.
Selecting Your Earring Backs
Choosing your earring backs is a crucial step in selecting your earring settings since it may alter your studs’ security, the convenience of wearing them, and overall comfort, too.
Screw Backs
Screw backs, as the name indicates, are earring backs that must be screwed instead of pressed onto the back. This sort of earring back is sturdy and compact, making it a suitable choice for folks with smaller earlobes.
Screw-backs, on the other hand, take longer to put on since they must be appropriately screwed with each wear. They might also be challenging to put on for someone with mobility limitations.
So, keep in mind that, while many individuals like the subtle safety of a screw back, they aren’t always the most fitting choice for those who need to put on their earrings fast or have difficulty gripping small things.
Learn More: Do All Real Diamond Earrings Have Screw Backs?
Push Backs
The most common form of earring back is “push-back.” Using friction, this form of earring back pulls into position, securely retaining your earrings in place.
Although push-backs are pretty secure, they are not as safe as the other solutions discussed in this article.
Nonetheless, many individuals still choose push-backs for their diamond earrings since they are inexpensive, simple to apply, and difficult to notice.
Secure Lock Backs
The most solid sort of earring back is a secure lock back. This type fits your earring posts and securely locks the double groove safe locking system into position.
They’re a fantastic alternative for those who wish to wear their diamond-embedded earrings with additional peace of mind.
They could also be suitable for more oversized diamond earrings since the broader back may make wearing a larger earring very pleasant.
Nevertheless, since this earring back is bigger, it may be easier to notice when worn on smaller ears.
Choosing The Metals For Your Diamond Earrings
Once you’ve decided on the design of your setting and chosen the earring backs, it’s crucial to pick the metals for your diamond earrings, too, so that they match the setting you’ve chosen.
The precious metal you choose influences your earrings’ overall appearance and how attractive they are – for both you and your gems.
Furthermore, if you’re allergic to some metals, selecting your precious metal might be a bit of a challenge.
So, which precious metal is most suitable for you?
White Gold
White gold is a stylish, sophisticated precious metal that might make white diamonds appear even “cooler” in color. Because it is rhodium-plated, white gold is also the most brilliant of all precious metals – which may increase the bling of your jewelry.
White gold features chilly undertones due to its frosty nature, making it particularly flattering for individuals with cool skin tones.
Related Read: Platinum Vs. White Gold: Which One Is Better?
Rose Gold
Rose gold is a one-of-a-kind, sentimental option that has been increasingly popular over the years. This gorgeous precious metal has a color that will flatter all complexion types – but is a particularly great fit for those with neutral skin tones.
Yellow Gold
Yellow gold is a typical, classic – traditional, even – precious metal that gives diamond jewelry a golden sheen. Because this yellow metal has a natural glow, it looks best on those with warmer skin undertones.
Platinum
Platinum is a luxurious precious metal that resembles white gold with its stylish white color and cool overtones. On the other hand, it offers a few practical benefits over gold: For starters, platinum is a more durable metal and will generally require less maintenance than gold.
Furthermore, platinum is non-allergenic. Platinum contains no nickel, making it a far better choice of precious metal alternative for individuals who are allergic to nickel.
Related Read:
Conclusion
As you can see, diamond earring collectors have a plethora of alternatives for purchasing their preferred accessories. Which diamond earring setting types are the best, though?
There are diamond earrings varieties to fit any style, depending on what attributes you value the most.
A prong setting won’t let you down if you wish to accentuate the diamond’s beauty. With a bezel setting, you never have to worry about losing your gem. And, due to their enormous brilliance, halo settings will make you feel all glitzy.
Earrings with a bezel, halo, or prong won’t go out of style anytime in the near future. With these earring setting options, you’ll always have fashionable earrings to go with your outfit. So, go with whatever suits your style the best!
Related Read: