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Earrings for men are no longer for the rebellious or ostentatious but part of a growing trend. Many modern men are starting to wear more jewelry to express their style and personality. After all, why should women have all the fun when it comes to jewelry! The diamond stud has been one of the most popular type of earrings for men and whatever your style, there’s bound to be one to suit you.
Whether you’ve just got your first piercing or have been rocking this trend for a while, we cover all you need to know about buying a diamond stud earring.
How are Men’s Diamond Studs Different from Women’s Studs?
This is a common question that we get asked a lot. Diamond studs are a unisex item and suit both men and women equally. The main differences, if any, would be in color and size. Male diamond studs are often larger than those for women, although this is not always the case. In terms of color, a metal such as rose gold for the setting is quite feminine and not commonly used in men’s diamond studs.
How to Wear Diamond Studs
First and foremost, let’s take a look at how you can wear a diamond stud. Remember that this is a matter of choice and depends on your personal taste. In other words, there’s no right or wrong way to go about this. If you aren’t sure how you feel about wearing a diamond stud and if you want to start slow, then we recommend a single stud.
Solitaire and Single Studs
A ‘diamond solitaire’ simply means a single diamond. It comes with no side diamonds such as a halo or any other embellishment. If you like the idea of an understated style, then a single diamond stud earring is probably for you.
Double Diamond Studs
While single stud earrings for men are more popular, wearing a pair of diamond earrings has become an increasing trend in men’s jewelry, and has a contemporary feel to it. You can choose to have both your ears pierced and sport one stud in each ear. You could also opt to have multiple piercings in the same ear.
In terms of style, it comes down to personal taste, but there are a couple of reasons to buy a pair of earrings even if you’ve only got one ear piercing.
It’s often more affordable to buy a pair of earrings then buying two single studs as retailers offer them more frequently. And down the line, if you get a second piercing, then the studs are already matched. You can always just wear one earring if you want to and keep the second as a spare. However, if you’re going to spend more of your budget on a show-stopping earring, then we’d recommend finding a single perfect stud.
Choosing the Ideal Diamond Stud for You
When we talk about different types of diamond stud earrings, the most significant difference between studs for men will be the cut and carat. Here’s what you need to know about each of these essential characteristics of diamond stud earrings.
The Cut of Your Diamond Stud
The cut of a diamond refers to its shape. The two most popular cuts for diamond earrings worn by men are round and square (or emerald). These cuts are popular as they are relatively unisex compared to marquise or pear cut diamonds. Round and square cut diamond earrings also look stylish whether worn solo or in a pair.
Emerald cut diamond stud. See it here.
When you’re choosing the cut of a diamond it’s important to think about your personal taste, but don’t overlook some other factors too such as your face shape.
The shape of an earring can help complement and balance the shape of your face. If you have a round face, then a diamond that has geometric lines such as emerald or square cut will complement the natural curve of your face. Conversely, if your face is slightly long or square, then a round cut diamond stud will help create a stylish look.
By considering your face shape and personal taste, you’ll be sure to pick a diamond stud earring that looks stylish and smooth. If you aren’t sure what shape to choose, try on a few different shapes and see which you think looks best for you.
Choosing the Diamond Carat
Carat is often misunderstood as the size of a diamond when in fact it is the weight of a diamond. In fact, two diamonds may have the same carat weight but could have different cuts which means they will look completely different. As you might have guessed the bigger the carat, the more expensive the diamond.
When you’re thinking for which carat weight is best for you, it’s worth noting the size of your earlobe.
What, what?
It might sound a little odd but hear us out! If you have small earlobes than a diamond with a larger carat weight might look a bit oversized and weigh your ear down. On the other hand, if you have larger earlobes then avoid very small carat weights for your diamond stud earring (unless you’re going for a barely-there look). In other words, decide on a stud size that complements the size of your ear.
This is only a handy guide but it’s worth considering what your preference is and what suits you before you make a purchase.
The most common diamond stud carat weight for men’s diamond earrings are between 0.25 and 1 carat, but if your goal is to wear something eye-catching, then a larger diamond stud will make a dramatic statement. We’d recommend a single stud that’s 1.25 carats or heavier. If you’re buying a pair of diamond earrings, the carat weight listed in the description will refer to the total carat weight of both earrings combined, so that a pair of 1-carat diamond earrings will have a 0.5-carat diamond on each earring.
If purchasing online, check if there are images of the stud on a model. This way, you get a clear idea of the size of the earring.
If you want to read more about the 4Cs of diamonds then check out our in-depth guide on all you need to know about the 4cs of diamonds.
What Metal Color Should I Choose
The useful thing about diamonds is that their translucent nature compliments all types of metal colors. The best way to choose your metal color is by looking through your other jewelry to see what you already own. If you have a white gold wedding ring, then a sterling silver stud earring will be a complimentary choice and vice versa if it’s yellow gold.
Another smart tip is to match the metal color to your watch as this will keep your jewelry looking coordinated and stylish. For something edgy and a little bit rock ‘n’ roll go for a white diamond set in black rhodium plated gold or silver. Because black goes well with any other color, this will still give you a cohesive look!
Our final nugget of advice for choosing your metal. If you want to spend more of your budget on the diamond then select an affordable metal such as 9 karat gold or sterling silver rather than something more expensive such as platinum.
Setting Choices for Men’s Diamond Studs
The setting of a diamond is often linked to how it’s been cut as certain diamond cuts require specific settings to be secure. The most popular setting for men’s diamond earrings is a claw or prong setting. The prongs hold the diamond securely in place allowing the light to reflect radiantly on to it. The more claws holding the diamond, the more secure the setting but this is at the cost of obscuring the diamond.
4-prong diamond stud. See it here.
If you’re worried about your diamond falling out, choose six prongs for a secure but minimalist look. Four claws are the smallest number of prongs that any diamond stud should have while still maintaining adequate security.
Bezel set single stud. See it here.
Another setting that’s popular with men’s earrings is bezel. This setting is the most secure type as the metal perfectly surrounds the diamond holding it in place tightly. The only downside to this is the bezel setting can often make diamonds appear smaller as less light can reflect from them.
Black Diamonds for a Modern Choice
Black diamond stud in prong setting. See it here.
For an edgy, modern look, you could always opt for a black diamond rather than colorless ones. White diamonds are classic and traditional in appearance, whereas black diamonds have recently shot up in popularity.
Bezel set black diamond. See it here.
They give you the durability, class and value of diamonds but are more intriguing, bold and contemporary.
The Best Diamond Substitutes for a Stud Earring
If you’re thinking of buying a diamond, you might be wondering what alternatives there are to diamonds and why diamonds make excellent stones for jewelry.
Diamonds are not just popular for their sparkly look but also for their durability. In case you didn’t know, all gemstones are measured on the Mohs scale which is an indication of a stone’s resistance to scratches. Diamonds have a perfect 10 on the Mohs scale and is the hardest natural substance on the planet. They are highly resistant to scratches, making them perfect for everyday wear.
Pair of moissanite studs. Find them here.
If you’re seeking a wallet-friendly alternative to a diamond, then moissanite might be what you’re looking for. Its durability is comparable to a diamond, and on the Mohs scale, it’s slightly lower than a diamond but higher than all other gemstones at 9.25. Moissanite’s are almost impossible to tell apart from diamonds, especially in small sizes. All moissanite is created in labs making them not only lower in price but also eco-friendlier than diamonds.
Affordable cubic zirconia studs. Find them here.
Another excellent alternative to a diamond is cubic zirconia; these are synthetic stones that have very similar qualities to diamonds. CZ ranks 8 on the Mohs scale and are very durable stones.
Here’s a pro tip: If you’re thinking about buying a diamond earring but aren’t quite sure if it is the right look for you, then we would recommend trying either a CZ or moissanite stud first before purchasing a diamond as they are an inexpensive way to get the look without spending too much money.
Where Should I Buy My Diamond Studs?
Buying your diamond studs at a brick and mortar store gives you the advantage of trying on the piece and seeing how you feel about it. However, taking your search online gives you endless options, and you can cherry pick the best price and stud to match you.
We suggest combining these two ways:
Check out diamond studs at a local jeweler and see what style suits you, then go online and look for similar studs, comparing prices, diamond quality and styles.
It’s extremely important that you see images or videos of the actual diamond and not simply go with stock photos. Images, video and other data provided are accurate and of the actual diamond. View the stone carefully prior to purchasing and check with the sales team if you have any questions.
Whichever retailer you decide to go with, always make sure that they are licensed, reputable and have great reviews. They should be specialized in what they do and should also provide you with certification for the diamond. Check that the certifying laboratory is reputable, such as GIA, AGS and EGL.
We recommend James Allen for diamond studs as they make the process of shopping online very easy and have excellent customer service. For a greater range of options, Amazon offers something for everyone from cubic zirconia studs worth a few dollars to expensive diamonds costing thousands!
