Diamond Earrings

Dazzling antique or vintage diamond earrings are on the wish lists of every lover of fine jewelry. (Who doesn't pine for a good pair of diamond studs?) And diamonds and diamond jewelry are primarily associated with storybook engagements and red-carpet grand entrances — indeed, this ultra-cherished gemstone has a dramatic history on its hands.

From “A Diamond Is Forever” to “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend,” pop culture has ingrained in our minds that diamonds are the most desired, the most lasting and the most valuable gemstone. But what makes the diamond so special? Each stone — whether it’s rubies, sapphires or another stone — is unique and important in its own right. April babies might claim diamonds for themselves, but just about everyone wants this kind of sparkle in their lives!

There are several factors that set diamonds apart from other stones, and these points are important to our gem education.

Diamonds are minerals. They are made up of almost entirely of carbon (carbon comprises 99.95 percent; the remainder consists of various trace elements). Diamonds are the hardest gemstones, ranking number 10 on the Mohs Hardness Scale. Even its name, diamond, is rooted in the Greek adamas, or unconquerable. The only object that can scratch a diamond is another diamond. Diamonds are formed deep within the earth at very high temperatures (1,652–2,372 degrees Fahrenheit at depths between 90 and 120 miles beneath the earth’s surface) and are carried up by volcanic activity. Diamonds are quite rare, according to the Gemological Institute of America, and only 30 percent of all the diamonds mined in the world are gem quality. 

In the 1950s, the Gemological Institute of America developed the 4Cs grading system to classify diamonds: clarity, color, cut and carat weight. Not all diamonds are created equal (there are diamonds, and then there are diamonds).

The value of the diamond depends on the clarity (flawless diamonds are very rare but a diamond's value decreases if there are many blemishes or inclusions), color (the less color the higher the grade), cut (how the diamond’s facets catch the light, certain cuts of diamonds show off the stone better than others) and carat weight (the bigger, the better). With respect to a reliable pair of diamond studs, however, they're going to deliver the perfect amount of sparkle and joy every time you put them on, whether you start out with a one-carat total weight pair for your Sweet 16 or treat yourself to five carats total weight later in life. And you don’t need to be fixated on the color and clarity grade of the diamonds in your studs (admirers of your jewelry are rarely going to be close enough to your ear to inspect the details).  

Earrings are the best type of jewelry to give or receive. For one thing, unlike rings for your finger, they’re basically one size fits all.

Your favorite pairs of diamond drop earrings or diamond hoops are also easier to wear than a necklace, which requires coordination with the neckline of the dress, top or jacket it accompanies. In addition, earrings are more eye-catching than bracelets: Even the most beautiful bangle can be overlooked on the wrist, while earrings, worn on either side of your face, are almost 100 percent guaranteed to be noticed, especially the stunning ones.

Although the term is often misapplied, true drop earrings are characterized by a long lean line ending in a pear-shaped stone — such as a diamond — that drops just below the earlobe. These accessories were popular in the Art Deco era, which encompassed the 1920s and ’30s and ushered in a very distinct look in jewelry design.

Diamond stud earrings are a jewelry-box essential — they're so timeless and indispensable that many people upgrade the size of their diamond studs every few years or to celebrate key milestones. A tip: Butterfly backs, or spring clutch backs (aka la poussé), are the easiest to manage. Screw-back posts are cumbersome and fiddly, especially if you’re dressing in a hurry.

Find antique and vintage diamond dangle earrings, diamond chandelier earrings and other diamond earrings today on 1stDibs.