How to Choose Diamond Stud Earrings
When you decide to buy diamond earrings, either for yourself or as a gift for someone else, it is important that you understand the difference between cost and beauty. Diamonds that are of a superior quality will naturally come with a higher price tag and if you are prepared to spend the extra, you will want to know that the diamonds stud earrings you choose are of a higher quality. Whatever carat diamond stud earrings with quality stones will be more brilliant and more beautiful.
Assuming that your budget is not too restrictive you should ideally choose a cut diamond of G-H color and what is referred to as “eye-clean” clarity. These diamonds are usually fairly priced and yet diamond stud earrings of this quality boast the same brilliant shower of light as others that can cost considerably more.
There are three reasons for this and they are:
• When the diamond is cut properly, it is imbued with the life and sparkle that we all find so captivating and alluring about these beautiful stones.
• The G-H color actually appears to be colorless when it is mounted which means that there is therefore really no legitimate reason to spend the extra amount, sometimes thousands of dollars more, for D-E-F color diamonds. The diamonds will still appear beautiful and dazzling when worn.
• A diamond of S12 clarity is considered by experts to be “eye-clean” which means that there are no visible flaws or intrusions that are apparent to the naked eye and the diamond therefore costs much less than diamonds with a higher clarity grade.
People who have to accept that they are on a budget can still choose to buy diamond earrings that contain stones with a lower quality level without feeling that they have reason to be ashamed. Remember that diamonds by definition are attractive because of their unique sparkle and most women would rather wear a pair of 1-carat diamond stud earrings despite the lower quality level than a pair of ½-carat stud diamond stud earrings that are of a higher quality, especially since the difference is not even discernable to the naked eye.
When you have made the decision to buy diamond stud earrings, there are a number of things that you need to consider and the following points will be helpful in your search for the perfect pair of diamond stud earrings:
• Make sure that you select the right color
The best diamonds available are colorless. They are difficult to find and are very expensive. Diamonds that fall in the D-F range are considered colorless. G-I are nearly colorless while grades below J have a slightly yellow tinge to them. If you are not particular about having a whiter stone, the color of the diamond is not really of that much importance and is nothing more than a matter of personal preference.
Experts tend to be of a unanimous opinion that diamonds in the G-H range that are mounted actually appear to be colorless and so represent a higher value than the D-F diamonds which are considerably more costly.
• Choosing the proper clarity
Inclusions, or flaws as they are more commonly known, affect the price you will pay for the diamond stud earrings that you choose to buy. When there are fewer inclusions, the stones are therefore rarer and more expensive as a result. It is important to remember that these flaws are not visible to the naked eye and do not impact negatively upon the beauty of the diamond in any way.
S12 grade diamonds and above have inclusions that are invisible to the naked eye and are considered “eye-clean”. An I1 grade will still be excellent value especially if the flaw is on the outer edge of the diamond. Once you reach the 13 grade diamonds, you will begin to see a more opaque or dark tinge to the diamond that is discernable to the naked eye.
• Choosing the proper cut
The cut is probably the most important aspect when it comes to the brilliance and beauty of a diamond. When a diamond is cut properly and professionally, it reflects light internally and so displays the characteristic dazzling shower of light back through the top of the stone.
It is important to look at the center of the stone to detect dark facets or a darker ring around the center. You need to determine whether there is an appearance of opaqueness and if these signs are visible, you will then know that the quality of the cut is not good.
• The brilliance, dispersion and scintillation
To properly measure the real beauty of a diamond that is expertly cut you need to notice the brilliance, dispersion and scintillation of the stone. When a diamond is properly cut, it returns much more light than otherwise and this is the real secret of a beautiful diamond.
When it comes to understanding the above-mentioned terms “brilliance, dispersion and scintillation the following is important:
1. Brilliance
This is achieved by the amount of white light that is discernable both externally and internally and can be seen by the naked eye.
2. Dispersion
This encompasses the flashes of color that are seen when the stone is seen in strong, direct light.
3. Scintillation
This is the white light that flashes from the diamond’s surface.
Whatever carat diamond stud earrings you choose, these points can help you to choose the right diamonds without breaking the bank, which is essential, if you are shopping on a budget as many people are. Provided that you know what to look for and understand the basics, your choice to buy diamond earrings will be one that you will not regret and the person for whom you have purchased them will get years of pleasure wearing these exquisite pieces of jewelry