From celebrities to athletes to princesses, diamond earrings are the world’s most popular earring. The modern diamond stud made its appearance in the late 19th century, surged in popularity in the 70’s, and has made no plans of going anywhere anytime soon. Adored for their crossover appeal and timelessness, they are a staple in every wardrobe. Whether buying a gift for someone or treating yourself, here’s your guide to making the best decision when it comes to this long-lasting purchase.

Budget

Because diamond earrings are considered a once-in-a-lifetime purchase, your budget should be a bit higher. When it comes to diamond earrings, quality is tied to price. If quality is lower on your list of priorities, then you will spend less. A high-quality pair could be as much as $30,000 but you don’t need to spend that much to get a beautiful and timeless set. Do your research and make sure you ask your jeweler about the 4 Cs of any pair you’re considering.

The 4 Cs

The universal standard by which diamonds are evaluated, these are your best friend when choosing the greatest value for your budget. Since better quality equals higher price, you can decide which of these four Cs are most important.

• Color: Facets on a diamond are like tiny mirrors, they reflect anything and everything around them. Even if you think your stone is completely colorless, i.e., more expensive, this factor could be less important.
• Clarity: Highly unlikely anyone is going to be inspecting your earrings at a close range, unless they have a jeweler’s loupe. Any blemish or imperfection is going to go unnoticed, making this factor less important.
• Cut: A big part of what makes diamond earrings so popular is their sparkle and pop. A stone’s cut has a huge influence on this. Make sure you choose a stone with a brilliant cut facet with Excellent or Very good cut grades.
• Carat: Often mistaken for size of the stone, the carat is actually the metric weight of the gem. “Total carat weight” refers to both diamonds in the pair of earrings. While a larger carat weight will make for a more expensive ring, it may lose impact if it lacks in color, cut, or clarity.

Shape

The modern diamond earring comes in a variety of shapes and cuts. Because the diamond earring reflects the wearer’s style and choice, there is no “best shape and cut” out there. Two popular styles are the round brilliant cut and princess cut.

Metal

Three things to think about when choosing a metal to pair with your diamond earrings: color, weight, and allergies. Consider how a diamond reflects the colors surrounding it. Gold metal will draw out more yellowish hues, especially if the color grade already tends toward yellow. Gold is not as heavy as platinum, but platinum is hypoallergenic and makes a great option if the earrings are a gift and you are not sure about the wearer’s sensitivities.

Setting

There are two factors to consider when looking at setting: style and security. You will want to look at which settings maximize the sparkle of the stone, enhance its size, and provide protection.

When it’s all said and done, choosing a pair of diamond earrings is a personal choice that reflects preference and budget. Maybe you don’t buy a pair right away, but armed with the knowledge and diligent saving, you will know how much you need to save to get the perfect match!