Here Is the Ultimate Guide to Buying Diamond Earrings

A woman wearing some of the best diamond earrings.

(Image credit: @sobalera)

Hard truth coming at you: Not all shopping is created equal. Here at Who What Wear, we understand there's a fundamental difference in how one might shop for more frivolous fashion trends versus making long-term investments in luxury items. Don't get us wrong. It can sometimes feel damn near impossible to muster the willpower not to buy every single trend taking off on TikTok, and generally, the process of shopping for any luxury item requires far more research, more funds, and more patience. This includes designer bags, shoes, and jewelry—the latter being the most challenging of all.

Sure, some of us might have an engagement ring saved on our Pinterest with no suitor in sight or have a few jewelry brands on our radars, but having all the knowledge you need to buy diamond jewelry is a whole other story. It can be overwhelming, but luckily for you, we’re here to make the process a bit easier if you're in the market for a pair of diamond earrings. We did extensive research to break down how to shop for diamond earrings and gathered the need-to-know information. Plus, we shopped out the 35 best diamond earrings based on timeless shapes, price points, reviews, brand recognition, runway trends, environmental impact, and the ever-important four Cs (definition to come). Say sayonara to your shopping-related stress, as this is your crash course in all things diamond-related.

How to Shop for Diamond Earrings

The best diamond earrings on a woman.

(Image credit: @coco_floflo)

Unlike costume jewelry, shopping for diamond earrings requires more knowledge, research, and intentionality to ensure you make the best possible investment. While the best diamonds for you will always be based on your budget and personal style, you should keep a few things in mind to make the process easier.

1. Determine your budget: Before you even begin searching for diamond earrings, know how much you're willing to spend. The cost of diamonds always depends upon whether the gemstone is lab grown or natural, the brand name, and the four Cs.

2. Familiarize yourself with the four Cs: A shorthand term used by experts in the diamond industry, the four Cs refer to carat, cut, color, and clarity. Carat count always indicates the diamond's weight, cut refers to the shape, color is whether the diamond is colorless or not, and clarity refers to the gemstone's shine. Knowing each of these terms will ensure you don't get confused throughout the shopping process.

3. Get cozy with carat counts: Reminder that carat count refers to the diamond's weight, not its size. It's an essential distinction because opting for bigger gemstones doesn't always mean they'll be better. The carat weight of a diamond should always be considered alongside the cut, as an excellent-cut small diamond can look just as dazzling as a larger pair of diamond earrings with a bad cut. Think of it like a haircut: If your stylist gets the angles wrong, it can diminish your natural beauty. The same goes for diamonds.

The best diamond earrings on a woman.

(Image credit: @emmahoareau)

4. Pick your preferred diamond cut: Not to sound like a broken record, but the shape (or cut) you choose for diamonds can impact how brilliant the stone is in the light. It also can be the defining difference between whether you find a pair of diamond earrings pretty or ugly, so make sure you know what you like beforehand. A wide range of cut options are available for you, including round, princess, cushion, oval, baguette, heart, pearl, emerald, marquise, and so on.

5. Determine what diamond color you desire: While popular marketing has cemented the idea that all diamonds are rare, the truth is that some gemstone colors are actually rarer than others. The most ubiquitous gemstones are colorless, and the rest exist on a scale. Typically, the more irregular stones come in brown, yellow, green, blue, purple, pink, and red—the latter being the most scarce.

6. Keep gemstone clarity in mind: Clarity is the term that diamond experts use to describe how much a diamond has imperfections or inclusions—dirt that was lodged in the diamond as it formed. Flawless diamonds are typically rarer, but it is possible to find a diamond with minimal imperfections that are invisible to the naked eye.

7. Pay attention to metals and settings: While most might consider diamond settings a more pivotal part of shopping for engagement rings, it's just as imperative for earrings. How the diamond is set can determine its overall durability—whether it will fall out in the ocean like Kim Kardashian's earring did or stand the test of time. It's also important to consider the type of metal the setting is made from. Anything that's only been coated in silver or gold but has a different metal base is more likely to chip over time or irritate those with sensitive ears. You want to look for earring settings made fully from gold or silver to ensure they retain their value over time.

The best diamond earrings on a woman.

(Image credit: @sasha.mei)

8. Audit your jewelry collection: It can be overwhelming to decide what type of earrings to buy, especially when there are so many different styles of diamond earrings. From studs to hoops to climbers to cuffs to huggies to chandeliers… The list goes on. But before you commit to any silhouette, consider auditing your jewelry collection to determine what style you'd wear the most or what's missing from your arsenal so that you don't invest in a pair of earrings you rarely wear.

9. Ask for certification: Diamond earrings aren't cheap, so when shopping, make sure that anything you purchase comes with a certification from a reputable gemological laboratory. The document will verify your diamond earrings' quality and characteristics to ensure they live up to their price tag. It's also an excellent document to have on hand if you ever decide to resell them.

10. Pull the receipts: When shopping for diamond earrings, it's crucial to pull evidence that your purchase will be the best possible investment for your needs. There are two ways you can do this: compare prices across various jewelry stores and online retailers to ensure you're getting the best deal and read reviews from shoppers. Considering both of these things will ensure you have the receipts that confirm you're making an informed decision.

Ready to shop? Keep scrolling for our roundup of the best diamond earrings for women based on reviews, quality, popular silhouettes, trends, and editorial perspective.

Where to Shop the Best Diamond Earrings

Best Diamond Earrings Overall: Brilliant Earth

The best diamond earrings on a woman.

(Image credit: @michellaccc)

Best Initial Diamond Earrings: Stone and Strand 

The best diamond earrings on a woman.

(Image credit: @modestmira_)

Best Affordable Diamond Earrings: Pandora

The best diamond earrings on a woman.

(Image credit: @greceghanem)

Best Eco-Friendly Diamond Earrings: White/Space

The best diamond earrings on a woman.

(Image credit: @stellasimona)

Best Lab-Grown Diamond Earrings: Blue Nile

The best diamond earrings on a woman.

(Image credit: @styleidealist)

Best Diamond Studs: David Yurman

The best diamond earrings on a woman.

(Image credit: @aidabadji_)

Best Diamond-Cluster Earrings: Birks

The best diamond earrings on a woman.

(Image credit: @edaowofashion)

Best Diamond-Halo Earrings: De Beers Forevermark

The best diamond earrings on a woman.

(Image credit: @savinachow)

Best Diamond Ear Climbers: Zoe Lev Jewelry

The best diamond earrings on a woman.

(Image credit: @lefevrediary)

Best Diamond Huggies: Mejuri

The best diamond earrings on a woman.

(Image credit: @mobinapeiman)

Best Diamond Hoop Earrings: Tiffany & Co.

The best diamond earrings on a woman.

(Image credit: @oliviafaeh)

Best Diamond Drop Earrings: Grown Brilliance

The best diamond earrings on a woman.

(Image credit: @spiritedpursuit)

Best Diamond Chandelier Earrings: State Property

The best diamond earrings on a woman.

(Image credit: @mariaalia)

Best Diamond-and-Gemstone Earrings: Amrapali London 

The best diamond earrings on a woman.

(Image credit: @bettinalooney)

Best Diamond-and-Pearl Earrings: Mateo

The best diamond earrings on a woman.

(Image credit: @natashandlovu)

Shop More Noteworthy Diamond Earrings

The best diamond earrings on a woman.

(Image credit: @oumaymaboumeshouli)

This post was originally published at an earlier date and has since been updated.

Jasmine Fox-Suliaman
Editor

Jasmine Fox-Suliaman is a fashion editor living in New York City. What began as a hobby (blogging on Tumblr) transformed into a career dedicated to storytelling through various forms of digital media. She started her career at the print publication 303 Magazine, where she wrote stories, helped produce photo shoots, and planned Denver Fashion Week. After moving to Los Angeles, she worked as MyDomaine's social media editor until she was promoted to work across all of Clique's publications (MyDomaine, Byrdie, and Who What Wear) as the community manager. Over the past few years, Jasmine has worked on Who What Wear's editorial team, using her extensive background to champion rising BIPOC designers, weigh in on viral trends, and profile stars such as Janet Mock and Victoria Monét. She is especially interested in exploring how art, fashion, and pop culture intersect online and IRL.