Buying Diamond Stud Earrings? Learn How to Buy the Perfect Pair

Getting Started

When shopping for diamond studs, figuring out which ones are the best deal can be difficult. How do you know you're getting the most bang for your buck?

As a general rule, you don't need to go for the same diamond color and clarity that most people typically look for when shopping for engagement rings, for example. 

Since diamond studs come in pairs, retailers frequently describe them with color and clarity ranges instead of specific grades. For example, you'll see stones with G-H color and SI clarity instead of G color and SI1 clarity.

There are reasons retailers do this. Earrings typically don't garner the same scrutiny from onlookers that engagement rings do. Plus, you can't distinguish the subtle differences between these grades with the naked eye. No one will be able to tell which earring is a "G" and which is an "H" when you're wearing them. The diamonds should match up just fine.

You can learn more about choosing carat sizes for diamond studs here.

The Best "Middle of the Road" Diamond Stud Earrings

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My first pick is these 14k white gold four-prong earrings from With Clarity. A 1/2-total carat weight is always a good place to start if you're looking for everyday studs. They'll have just enough sparkle without being overwhelming. These stones have I color and SI clarity and cost $650. These earrings also have a screw-back design. Most retailers only have friction backs for a standard stud, so that's a pleasant surprise.

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My second pick for "middle of the road" diamond stud earrings are these martini studs from James Allen. 3/4-total carat weight studs are great if you want something just a little larger than a 1/2 carat but without the price tag of 1-total carat weight studs. These stones have H-I color and SI clarity and cost $1,430. They come with the standard friction backs.

Top Picks for 1-2 Carat Diamond Stud Earrings

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Trying to get a slightly larger stud to fit your budget? Consider looking for diamonds with slightly lower clarity grades. You'll still get stones with great sparkle but with a larger, more appealing appearance. These 4-prong studs from Blue Nile have I color and I1 clarity and weigh 1 carat in total. You can get them for just $2,300. Blue Nile also offers small promotions around holidays (like Valentine's Day), and the price for these studs has dropped as low as $2,070 before. They also come with a "guardian" earring back that's more secure than a standard back. 

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This next pair, 1.5-total carat weight studs from With Clarity, also has a large face-up look. Their size gives them a noticeable sparkle, without the premium price of a 2-total carat weight pair. At $3,900, these I color, SI clarity stones will definitely make a statement! 

If You Want It ALL

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Most retailers rarely offer their standard diamond studs with high-end colors and Flawless clarity. When they do, you'll typically have to pick out loose diamonds yourself. However, if you want higher quality stones without the hassle of picking them yourself, go with James Allen. They offer their "best quality" pre-set studs in F-G color and VS clarity at $2,600 for a 1-total carat weight pair. It's a great option for those who want "only the best."

The Bottom Line on Buying Diamond Stud Earrings

There are plenty of places to find great deals on diamond studs. Also, remember that everyone has different goals when it comes to studs, and people typically reserve their intense attention for diamond engagement rings, not earrings. No matter what you choose, you can feel confident about your decision.