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Hoop earrings have been a jewelry staple for decades now but you can take yours to the next level by adding the sparkle of diamonds. Diamond hoop earrings are unlike the average hoop. They exude class and significance, bound to garner attention and make a show-stopping, lasting impression.
Diamond hoops have made an interesting evolution from the original gold hoop, and there are many styles, sizes, price points, and metals to choose from. Elements like hair length and the shape of the face must also be taken into consideration.
All this can make it hard to pick the right pair which is why we’ve put together this guide to help you purchase your own statement set of diamond hoops.
Types of Diamond Hoop Earrings
First things first, let’s talk about the variety of diamond hoop earring styles that are available to you on the market. Just a simple glance will show that there are quite a few variations to the diamond hoop.
1. Diamond Huggies
Diamond huggies are so-called because they do just that – hug your earlobe. These are smaller versions of the hoop and are a classic, everyday way to wear diamonds. In a pierced style, the post is attached to the two sides of the hoop in a setting that is halved to create the huggie characteristic. The wider the setting, the more noticeable the earring.
Generally, huggies are wider than regular hoops, because if not, they would be quite difficult to see. Diamond huggies tend to complement all face shapes and hair lengths.
2. Small Hoops (8mm to 13mm)
Small hoops are perfect for everyday wear, as they aren’t over the top. They still showcase all the brilliance and elegance of a diamond hoop earring without taking too much attention. This is partly what makes small hoops perfect for transitions from day to night events.
Small diamond hoops complement medium to longer hair lengths, and most face shapes. They especially look good on people with square faces.
3. Medium Diamond Hoops (14mm to 40mm)
A sparkling pair of medium diamond hoops really amplifies style, especially when worn with simple or casual outfits. Medium-sized hoops are dressier and add that extra touch of dazzle to your outfit. Thicker pairs go well with formal wear and have a statement look, whereas thin diamond hoops can blend in more seamlessly with a casual outfit.
4. Large Hoops (41mm to 70mm)
A brilliant statement set for a night out, large diamond hoops make a dazzling impression. Think wistful updo, diamond hoops, heels, and red lipstick. These are special occasions, investment sets worn to make a strong impression. Large diamond hoops compliment an updo hairstyle nicely and draw focus to the face.
5. XL Hoops (More than 70mm)
Currently, one of the biggest fashion trends is impossibly large hoops, trending across global fashion designer runways. An extra-large extravagant look favored by celebrities, it won’t take long for the trend to catch on with the modern woman with a taste in fashion.
The XL diamond hoop will take your appearance to the next level but it does take some attitude to pull off.
6. Diamond Drop Hoops (Infinity Hoops)
Drop hoops are a dangly version of the hoop. The hoop portion of the earring is attached to a hook or another smaller hoop, which allows for more movement of the hoop. It is a non-traditional way to wear your hoops and garner attention to your appearance. Diamond drop hoops are best worn with an updo to really show off the beauty of the earrings.
Diamond Hoop Settings
The setting refers to the metal that holds the diamond safe within the hoop design. There are a few different types of settings, with the claw and the prong being the most popular.
The prong setting is the most common for diamonds and the most budget-friendly. The claws of the prong protect and hold the diamond in place while still allowing the diamond to be able to shine bright with the least amount of metal impeding its brilliance. Sometimes, prongs can become a part of the design in settings like this one, adding to the design’s beauty.
Another popular way for the diamonds to be held in the hoop is through a channel setting like this. In this type of setting, the diamonds aren’t held by prongs at all but instead are set within a groove in the metal. This is a safe and beautiful option for hoop earrings, but the diamonds’ brilliance can be diminished by being set flush against the metal.
Best Metal for Diamond Hoop Earrings
Diamonds are highly versatile and look excellent set in all metals, be it silver, white gold, yellow gold, rose gold, or platinum. It is simply about the metal and style that you prefer, as well as your budget. Each metal has a different asset!
Sterling silver is the most classic, budget-friendly metal. Modern, hip, sexy, and fun, this can be worn with casual outfits or to spruce up a night out on the town. However, because sterling silver can be harder to maintain gold and platinum are better options, if you have the budget for them.
White gold and platinum look very similar but white gold has a much lower price point. A durable metal with a bright sparkle, the color of white gold compliments the brilliance of the diamond for a sophisticated statement set of hoops without too much of an impact on your wallet. This is probably why white gold tends to be the favorite metal for diamond hoops.
Like white gold, rose gold to is a yellow gold alloy. It creates a lovely, romantic, effect. The metal is durable, and the combination of rose gold and diamonds is a picturesque, enchanting match.
Moving into higher price points, yellow gold is the purest color of all gold medals. Yellow gold will create an eye-catching set of diamond hoops with a classic royal flair. The color of gold offsets the color of the diamonds, garnering attention to this gorgeous combination of diamond and metal. This pairs extremely well with a red lip.
Finally, the most expensive but also most enduring of all metals, is platinum set diamond hoops. Platinum is extremely valuable, rare, and pricey, considered the metal of longevity. When paired with diamonds, the outcome is highly brilliant, with opulent diamonds resting in a luxurious sparkly metal. There isn’t a big difference in appearance between white gold and platinum but there are pros and cons to each, with the main con being that platinum is much pricier than white gold.
Diamond Hoops – Carat Weight and Prices
When purchasing diamond hoops, you’ll notice that the hoop often consists of a number of small diamonds, known as melee diamonds. Depending on the style of the hoops, the diamonds can be extremely small (micro pave setting) or be set with larger stones.
Usually, the retailer will list the carat total weight (CTW) of the diamonds in the hoop earrings but what’s important is not so much the carat weight but the size of the diamond. The larger the individual diamonds, the more expensive the piece becomes. For example, both this pair of hoop earrings and this pair have the same carat weight, but notice the difference in price! This is because the second pair has larger stones of better quality.
If you are considering buying diamond hoops, there is a hoop for all price points, ranging from a few hundred dollars to the thousands. However, it is considered an investment piece of jewelry and should be treated as such.
Diamond hoop earrings are a classic statement set, and will last for many years, as long as they are taken good care of. Like diamond stud earrings, they are worth the investment.
Diamond Hoops – Is Clarity Important?
While it’s easy to dismiss the importance of clarity in small melee diamonds used in hoop earrings, it is something to pay attention to. To make certain the diamonds are brilliant, look for diamonds that are graded SI or above. Diamond hoops with lower clarity can appear dull, without sparkle.
Diamond Hoops – What Cut Can I Choose?
We typically tend to think of the round diamond when it comes to anything diamond, but there are a number of different cuts to choose from and many designers incorporate these into their diamond hoop designs.
You can find some diamond hoops with baguette, princess, marquise, or emerald cuts. These are immediately noticeable as different in design and tend to stand out more than round diamonds.
Case in point, take a look at this princess cut hoop diamond earring. It definitely looks intriguing.
Men’s Diamond Hoops
We tend to think of diamond hoops as a woman’s fashion zone, but these aren’t limited to females. Men can don the hoop just as well as a lady. However, you’ll rarely find a man wearing a large dangling hoop as men generally favor a smaller hoop or a huggie, which sits just against the ear somewhat like a stud.
Caring for Your Diamond Hoops
Cleaning and caring for your diamonds ensure longevity and brilliance.
If you find your diamond hoops dull or dirty, the best and easiest way to clean them is by using mild liquid soap, a soft toothbrush, and warm water. You can choose to soak the diamonds for a little while to loosen up any clinging dirt and then use the soft toothbrush or cloth and gently scrub the earrings.
How often you clean depends on how often you wear your diamonds. If you wear them daily, then clean them once every two weeks or so to ensure that they remain sparkling. There isn’t a hard rule for this; just clean them when they look dirty.
It’s a good idea to take your diamond hoop earrings periodically to a professional jeweler to check for the integrity of the stones and to repair any loose or dislodged diamonds. The jeweler can also give the diamonds a professional clean.
Where to Buy Diamond Hoops Online
There are many places to purchase diamond hoop earrings online. Taking your search online will give you access to competitive prices and easy comparisons between sites. While there are many top retailers out there, here are the sites we recommend:
1. Blue Nile
Blue Nile has one of the best collections of diamond hoop earrings, with a wide variety of designs available. This is a great place to start your search, as the prices are very reasonable too. Check them out here.
2. James Allen
James Allen’s collection of diamond earrings is extensive although their diamond hoop earrings range is more exclusive. Check out their collection here for some unique finds.
3. Whiteflash
For diamond hoop earrings with the most exceptional diamond quality, choose Whiteflash. Their melee diamonds have great sparkle and their earrings are stunning. However, their range is rather limited.
4. Etsy
Etsy is a marketplace with an extensive range of diamond hoop earrings. You’re sure to find one that fits your specifications. However, each Etsy shop has its own policies so it might take some time to review all their details ahead of making a purchase, but that’s usually time well spent. Check their range here.
