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On the topic of fashion advice for women buying diamond stud earrings, there are some well kept secrets about the setting styles and how appropriate they are for fitting your ear. Depending on the setting, a diamond stud can either droop downward, or sit smartly forward on the ear lobe. It is a shame to invest in a fine pair of diamonds that have a sloppy appearance when worn.

First, let’s dispense with the smaller stones: if you are buying one half carat or less total weight (meaning that each diamond weighs a quarter carat), then just about any setting style will be fine because it is very light weight.

However, if you are buying a one carat, two carat or larger pair of earrings, you need to carefully consider the setting style. There are three basic setting styles which you can view here for diamond stud earrings:

Crown style settings: Most retail jewelers sell a crown style setting that pushes the diamond (and the weight) forward. The heavy weight of this setting will often cause the earring to droop downward in your ear lobe, which results in a sloppy look. The crown style setting looks like a solid metal cup with oval cutouts which extend into the 4 prongs that secure the diamond.

Basket style settings: Better diamond studs are mounted deep in a basket setting, which balances the weight more evenly and and results in an earring that displays more or less straight forward in the ear. The basket setting is not solid metal. It is lighter open wire and looks like a hoop at the bottom with four perpendicular prong wires, and a second hoop near the top. If you purchase basket settings, the diamond should be set low in the basket, to keep the center of gravity as close as possible to the ear lobe, for a proper fit.

Martini style settings: The best setting, however, is difficult to find, and it is called a martini style setting. In this style, the back of the diamond (or culet) rests most nearly against the ear lobe. Because the center of gravity is further backwards, the diamond rests straight forward in the ear lobe, for a neat, clean forward look. Martini style settings hold the diamond with three prongs as opposed to four prongs as in the previous two styles of setting. This shows off the brilliance and fire of the diamond more effectively because there is less metal covering the actual stone itself. If you hold the martini setting with the post downward, it appears like a martini glass, with three simple wires that secure the diamond and extend to three prongs.

In short, if you are looking for a large pair of diamond studs, you should consider a Martini style setting.

Other style settings: As an alternate, you may want to consider a setting style known as the Eurowire setting or lever-back setting. Strictly speaking, this is not a diamond stud, but it is a pretty setting. The Eurowire is a C-shaped wire that fits through your ear piercing and snaps shut in the back. The entire wire is hidden behind the ear and the diamond stud rests just beneath the ear lobe, rather than inside it. The weight and shape of the wire behind the ear insure that the diamond rests straight forward just below the ear lobe, to create an elegant look.

About the Author:
Lauren Stomel is an expert in the field of gemstones and diamonds, and publisher of the award-winning diamond stud earring website located at http://www.diamondstudsonly.com.

A Diamond is a crystalline form of carbon. A diamonds hardness and high dispersion of light makes it particular useful for industrial applications and in jewelery. Diamonds are specifically renowned as a mineral with superlative physical qualities. Thus making them great abrasives because they can only be scratched by other diamonds. This feature also means they hold a polish extremely well and retain luster. Approximately 120 million carats, 25 000 kilograms of diamond are mined annually. These diamonds have a with a total value of nearly nine billion united states dollars.

“diamond”, the name, comes from an ancient Greek word that means “impossible to tame”. Treasured as a gem ever since their use as religious icons in India almost 2,500 years ago. “Diamond’s are a girl’s best friend”. They have been widely used in drill bits and engraving tools dating back to early human history for their physical properties. Due to improved cutting and polishing techniques the popularity of diamonds has gone up since the early 19th century. Almost 4 times the amount of natural diamonds are produced syntheticly each year. These synthetic diamonds are typically classified with poor-quality specimens and as a result are suitable only for industrial-grade use.

The majority of natural diamonds come from central and southern Africa. On the other wise of that though, significant sources of the mineral have been discovered in Russia, Canada, Brazil, and Australia. Generally, diamonds are mined from volcanic pipes. Volcanic pipes are deep in the Earth where the high pressure and temperature enables the formation of the crystals. Subject to frequent controversy, the mining and distribution of natural diamonds, has raised large concerns over the sale by African paramilitary groups.

As previosuly mentioned, humans have been able to adapt diamonds for many uses because of their extraordinary physical characteristics. The most recognized of all these properties, is a diamond’s extreme hardness.

Feel free to reprint this article as long as you keep the article, this caption and author biography in tact with all hyperlinks.

Ryan Fyfe is the owner and operator of The Diamond Index - www.thediamondindex.com, which is the best site on the internet for all diamond related information.

If you want an engagement ring that is unique and classy at the same time, you might consider giving your lady love an antique engagement ring. Nowadays, brides-to-be are showing their unique style and individuality by selecting antique and estate engagement rings. Many couples look at the future brightly by purchasing something from the past.

You may choose that extraordinary engagement ring from many fine collections of beautiful yet unusual and non traditional antique engagement jewelry.

A lot of women choose Art Deco and Edwardian antique engagement rings studded with sapphires and diamonds. Both these pearl and diamond antique engagement rings are evocative of the romantic era of the past. Old-fashioned filigree diamond engagement rings boast of exceptional workmanship and superior quality that makes it look good on any woman’s hand.

Also popular are antique engagement rings with eclectic gemstones, antique rubies and antique sapphires. Does your future bride like nontraditional colors? Then go for an aquamarine antique engagement ring. It is the perfect combination of modern and antique styles.

You should also look at vintage sapphire engagement rings that carry colors that match the skyline with a slightly violet hue. A typical round faceted, mixed cut sapphire gemstone set on an antique band weighs about .70 carats with four diamonds, two baguettes and two single cuts flanking the sapphire, set horizontally.

There are also antique diamond cluster engagement rings that have diamonds in a cluster pattern. The center diamond is usually a round modern cut, while the encircling diamonds are round single cuts.

Before buying the antique engagement ring, you might want to consider your budget and personal preference. It is wise to first visit stores selling these unique pieces of jewelry prior to the actual purchase. You may also visit online stores to save some time looking for that perfect ring to buy.