You’re at the right place if you’re looking for a beautiful pair of diamond earrings on the market. Read on to learn more.
In this guide, we’ll explore everything you need to know about the cost of diamond earrings and answer some of the most frequently asked questions including:
- How much do diamond studs cost?
- Is there any difference between drop earrings and dangle earrings?
- Are lab created diamond earrings relatively cheap?
- What’s the right diamond clarity for exquisite diamond earrings?
Let’s dive right in, shall we?
How Much Do Diamond Earrings Cost?
Comparison Between Diamond Earrings and Diamond Engagement Rings
It’s a given that diamonds are quite expensive. Most people always save up for a few months or even more depending on their financial capability to buy a diamond engagement ring that would probably be a game changer.
Let’s save the diamond rings conversation for another day because to day we’ll be focusing on diamond earrings. Diamond earrings are a classic staple in any jewelry collection. There are a number of reviews on the internet about diamond rings and the best places to buy diamond earrings online. However, very little is said about diamond earrings and their cost.
Comparing the Cost of Diamond Earrings to Diamond Engagement Rings
One of the most frequently asked questions about diamonds is whether diamond earrings are more expensive than diamond engagement rings.
Initially, diamond jewelry pieces were only sold in a few select places and they were equally limited. People used to shop at Kay Jewelers and Zales which were the most overpriced shops at the time. However, things have significantly changed over the years since you can buy them from different online diamond retailers.
You’ve probably paid a little more for your diamond jewelry piece if you got it from Zales or Kay Jewelers. At this point, it’s safe to say that these stores are a rip off and not the diamond industry.
When looking for diamond jewelry pieces on the market, you should know their price range. Different diamond pieces have different diamond grades known as 4Cs. This system was invested by Gemological Institute of America.
The Gemological Institute of America is the main authority on both diamonds and gemstones all over the world. Some of the most common factors that influence the cost of a diamond engagement rings include:
- Brand/Store
- Carat weight
- Clarity grade
- Ring Setting
- Color grade
- Cut grade
There are other small factors like high carat gold, polish, fluorescence and symmetry among others. Most jewelry stores will let you know that all these factors are important especially when looking for a pair of diamond earrings.
However, that’s debatable. This is because the center diamond and your hand are usually front and center every time when it comes to diamond engagement rings. Everyone tends to be drawn to the sparkle.
With the ear, there are those that would love it if the diamond emits from the earlobe. However, they always appreciate it from a distance. You wouldn’t want anyone’s face closer. But we can all agree that some of these factors determine the cost of diamond earrings.
However, that doesn’t necessarily mean that the price needs to go up or it has to cost an arm and a leg.
The Average Cost of Diamond Stud Earrings
| NATURAL DIAMOND STUD PRICE COMPARISON | ||
| Retailer | 1 Carat | 2 Carat |
| James Allen | $2520 | $10,670 |
| Blue Nile | $2717 | $10,830 |
| Brilliant Earth | $3320 | $11,500 |
| Ritani | $2462 | $10,040 |
All prices based on round diamond pairs (no setting) with Very Good, H, SI1 and GIA grading reports.
Factors that Determine the Cost of Diamond Earrings
As earlier mentioned, one of the biggest factors that usually determine the price of diamond earrings is the 4Cs. The main difference between diamond engagement rings and diamond earrings is that the latter come in a pair.
In this case, you’re looking for a pair of beautiful diamonds as opposed to a single center gemstone. Here are some of the things you need to put into consideration when shopping for diamond earrings:
- Clarity grade
- Color grade
- Cut grade
- Carat weight
- Brand
- Setting
Let’s explore each of these factors in details to give you a clear picture.
Settings
Most of you are wondering why setting made it to the list of essential cost factors for diamond earrings. This is because the type of diamond earrings determines its entire cost for this reason:
Complex diamond earrings tend to use more precious metal and diamonds. In this case, the earring will always fall on the higher side of the pricing spectrum. However, if the earring features smaller diamond pieces then the price will be lower. If it’s made of a number of bigger diamond pieces, then it’ll cost more.
Different Types of Diamond Earrings
By now, you already know that there are many different types of diamond earrings available on the market. In this jewelry guide, we’ll only tackle the most popular ones that you’ll find in different stores:
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Diamond Studs
AVAILABLE ON BRILLIANTEARTH
If you’re looking for a elegant and classy option for different occasions then diamond studs are the way to go. They can complement your pair of jeans or enhance your beautiful cocktail dress with ease. Like solitaire engagement rings, solitaire studs have a diamond on each earring.
For the most part, solitaire diamond stud settings are usually simple 3 to 4 prong settings per ear. The price range of these prong or martini style settings is around $200 to $500 especially when you customize your diamond earring. The solitaire studs grades impact on the cost significantly.
In addition, studs have cluster settings or multiple diamonds. However, the number of gemstones or diamonds doesn’t make the jewelry piece a stud earring. The stationary position on the earlobe along with its simplicity is what makes it a stud.
RECOMMENDED: Best Fake Diamond Studs
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Diamond Hoops
AVAILABLE ON JAMESALLEN
Diamond hoop earrings are equally popular. They come in different sizes ranging from small to large pieces but the smaller and medium sizes are more common. What’s more, these earrings are available in a rang of shapes including teardrop, round, oval and any other shape that’s enclosed and empty.
These earrings have a bunch of diamonds around the hoop or few of them in large sizes with more metal. Diamond hoop earrings usually come pre-set in stores since they need a more diamonds on each ear.
Most diamond hoop earrings are usually smaller melee gemstones. Their price range depends on how much metal is used on it along with the count and size.
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Diamond Dangle Earrings
AVAILABLE ON BRILLIANTEARTH
Most of you have heard about dangles or dangly earrings in formal settings. Diamond dangle earrings are quite the opposite of diamond studs. These earrings come in different shapes and styles but tend to move freely and hang from the side of the earlobes.
Diamond dangle earrings are versatile owing to their style. This makes giving a ballpark price for each one of them a bit challenging. However, the cost is usually determined by the amount of metal used in it, coupled with the count and size of diamonds and the design intricacies.
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Diamond Drop Earrings
AVAILABLE ON BLUENILE
Most people tend to confuse diamond drop earrings with their dangle counterparts because they’re quite similar. Diamond dangle earrings are part of the drop earring family. However, drop earrings can never be dangles.
Keep scrolling.
Drop earrings are typically a cross between dangles and studs. They’re somehow stationary like studs and can also double up as studs. These earrings drop right below the earlobe with limited movement unlike traditional dangles.
You can pair your cocktail dress or evening gown with long diamond drop earrings since they work remarkably well together. Some of these earrings usually start as studs and end right under the ear without any movement.
Diamond Cuts
If anything, diamond cut is one of the most important parts of the diamond. This is because the cut tends to set the pace for its overall durability and brilliance. You should be able to choose the cut grades or know the specs of a pre-set pair if you’re going for solitaire diamond studs.
There are stores that give the grades range while others don’t and neither do they let you know the cut grade. Remember, its only round diamonds that have official diamond cut grades. This means that they have close recommended proportions for the best cut for that particular shape.
However, you can save a few bucks on different diamond earrings cut grades. Here’s how:
I’ll be addressing those who prefer solitaire diamond studs to cluster studs and other types of diamond earrings. Having the perfect cut pair is entirely up to you when it comes to round diamonds. But it’s not necessary. In this case, it would be best to drop down a cut grade and go for a pair of Very Good round diamond earrings.
Avoid super ideal cut grades. This is because it would cost you a lot more for a few unnecessary facets. Each brand comes with its own super ideal branded diamonds. In most cases, it’s not usually about the diamonds but the extra things that they come with like ASET images and GemEx light performance report. Besides, GIA standards don’t recognize super ideal grade cuts.
If you’re going for a fancy diamond shapes, then you should always stick to diamond earrings recommended proportions. Fancy diamonds shapes are other shapes that are not round.
Recommended Proportions for Fancy Diamond Studs
| RECOMMENDED PROPORTIONS | |||
| Diamond Shape | Length to Width Ratio | Depth | Table |
| Princess | 1.0-1.04 | 68-74% | 69-75% |
| Cushion | 1.0-1.08 (sq)
1.15-1.25 (rect) |
61-68% | <68% |
| Emerald | 1.30-1.45 | 61-68% | 61-69% |
| Marquise | 1.85-2.1 | 58-62% | 53 to 63% |
| Pear | 1.45-1.75 | <68% | 53 to 65% |
| Radiant | 1.0-1.05 (sq)
1.20-1.50 (rect) |
<67% | 61-69% |
| Asscher | 1.0-1.05 | 61-68% | 61-69% |
| Heart | 1.0 | 56-66% | 56-62% |
Always take your time when browsing through diamonds. Most diamond retailers only allow narrowing search filters to grading report type and 4Cs while a few of them allow you to filter you search to depth and table.
You’ll get tour reward in the long run if you exercise patience especially if you stick to numbers instead of how the diamonds are categorized in the store inventory.
Carat Weight
One of the most important factors that determine the cost of diamond earrings is their carat weight more than the cut grade.
Here’s why:
Calculating the carat weight of a diamond is no easy feat. For instance, the price of two pairs of diamond earrings a carat each and a pair of 2 carat diamond earrings are very different. When you go for a pair of 1 carat diamond studs, technically speaking, you’re choosing two ½ carat stud per ear. For a 2-carat diamond earring, it would be a carat for each ear.
The carat weight of diamond earrings with a bunch of small diamonds is quite different from a carat weight of solitaire studs. The price of a pair of 2-carat drop earrings is not the same as that of a pair of 2-carat diamond studs.
When it comes to cluster earrings and settings with multiple diamonds, they’ll let you know the TDW – total diamond weight of the diamonds altogether. You can find 3-carat diamond earrings at relatively cheaper price than 2-carats total pair of solitaire studs. This is because large diamonds have better diamond grades.
If the large diamond is not cut correctly, it’s bound to appear gray and dull which typically translates to waste of diamond. Gem cutters can hardly get hold of colorless and clear diamonds rough especially when cutting large carat stones as compared to small ones.
Gem cutters are more likely to find the quality of gemstone rough for small diamonds as compared to the bigger ones. The only problem is that you might have to bigger when buying solitaire studs especially if you want them to be noticeable. It’s a completely different story if you want a small pair for an extra piercing or for your small children.
Most people always go for a pair of diamond stud earrings that weigh between a total of ½ carat to 1 carat. Remember, many preset studs usually come in what is known as “dream sizes” in the jewelry industry.
Some of the most popular dream sizes are common carat weights such as 1, ¼, 1/3, ½ and ¾. It’s always best to go for solitaire studs according to your taste and preference as opposed to getting preset solitaire stud earrings.
In addition, dream sizes have more premium as compared to choosing a pair of earrings with the same carat weight. For instance, .53 and .48 stud earrings are relatively cheaper than a preset 1 carat pair at the local jewelry store.
Diamond Colors
You can choose diamond colors based on your personal preference and taste. However, you would want to ensure the pair of diamond earrings is on the same tier of color grade. These tiers include light yellow, faint yellow, near colorless and colorless.
You can go for JKL diamond earrings if you’re sensitive to warm diamonds. However, you don’t have to break the bank to get colorless diamonds. This is because people will barely notice the faint tint from a distance. In real sense, JKL color grades are equally unnoticeable but it’s visible to some.
At the end of the day, diamond color grades narrow down ton personal preference. Don’t always assume that you have to get colorless diamonds if you love cooler diamonds. The near colorless color grade works just fine and you can get them at a relatively cheaper price.
Diamond Clarity
Clarity is an important factor to put into consideration when shopping for a diamond engagement ring. Diamond clarity is the eye-cleanness of the diamond in question. Diamonds without any visible inclusions to your naked eyes are what we call eye-clean diamonds.
When diamonds are forming, impurities and minerals are usually trapped in it as it grows and create inclusions. However, some blemishes tend to occur when the diamond is cut. Some people argue that clarity isn’t quite important in diamond earrings because you can’t really see your ears and no one will get close enough to see the inclusions.
When you check the prices of VVS diamonds then you would agree that choosing low clarity diamond earrings is probably a good idea. VS1, VS2, VVS1, VVS2, F and IF diamonds are some of the best eye-clean diamond grades. Eye clean I and SI clarity diamonds are less likely though possible.
Diamonds usually have inclusions so you have to choose those with less visible ones. You can go lower than VS2 when looking for diamond engagement rings.
It’s always advisable to get your jewelry pieces from a reputable retailer with 360-degrees viewer if you’re looking for eye-clean diamond earrings at a relatively cheaper price. Narrow down the clarity filters to lower clarity grades and sift through them beginning from the lowest price.
Alternatively, go for S12 or SI1 clarity diamonds. You can save a few bucks on diamonds by going for a lower clarity tier.
The Cost of Mined Diamond Earrings and Lab Created Diamond Earrings
Currently, lab created diamonds are the rage – for a good reason! Not only are they conflict- and 100% ethical free, but also use less energy and are relatively cheaper than their mined counterparts.
Lab created diamonds are usually between 40% to 70% cheaper than mined diamonds of the same grade. Plus, they’re real diamonds that you can choose to resell for profit. Here’s a comparison of the cost of mined diamonds and lab grown diamonds:
Conclusion
Like most jewelry pieces, there are a number of factors that determine the cost of diamond earrings. Some of the most important factors include carat weight, grades and their complexity. If you want value for money, then lab created diamond stud earrings come highly recommended.
It’s our hope that this article helps you choose the best diamond earrings on the market without breaking the bank. Happy shopping!
