How to Choose Diamond Stud Earrings: Size, Cut, and Budget Guide

Stud earrings are one of the most essential staples in jewelry. They work both for special occasions and as everyday pieces that never come off. They’ve been around for thousands of years, dating back to ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia. They were worn by royalty in the 18th century Georgian era, became a fashion trend in the 1920s, and were popularized for men during key cultural moments like in the 1980s when actor Louis Gossett Jr. wore a diamond stud at the 1983 Academy Awards to spark a major cultural trend.

Men’s diamond stud earrings come in many sizes, cuts, metals, and stone options, so deciding which pair is right for you requires considering a few different factors. Luckily, GLD has your back with this full guide and collection to help you choose the right stud earrings based on size, cut, metal, stone type, and budget.

CZ vs Moissanite vs Lab-Grown Diamond Studs: What’s the Difference?

We’ll start with different stone types. GLD offers CZ, Moissanite, and Lab-grown diamonds across the stud earring collection. Each has a different purpose and offers a different look, so let's go ahead and break them down.

CZ, or cubic zirconia, looks and shines like a diamond for a fraction of the price. It’s the most accessible for any budget and is available in the widest range of cuts and sizes. Moissanite is a brilliant gemstone made of lab-grown silicon carbide that ever so slightly differs from a natural diamond because of its chemical composition. That being said, its shine rivals that of a natural diamond, sometimes exceeding it, and passes the standard diamond tester. Lab-grown diamonds only differ from natural diamonds because of their origin. They are real diamonds grown in a lab, with the exact same chemical structure of pure carbon in a crystalline formation. They even score the same 10/10 as natural diamonds on the Mohs scale, making them just as durable. For a more in-depth breakdown of different stone types, check out GLD’s complete guide to stone types.

Stone Type Comparison

How to Choose Your Stud Earring Size

The most popular question when it comes to choosing stud earrings is about their size. After choosing a stone type, this becomes the next key decision in finding the right pair for you. The answer to the question of “what size should I get?” is different for everyone and ultimately depends on personal style. Different sizes create unique aesthetics, and with a bunch of cuts to choose from, it’s worth knowing a bit about each size. Here’s a quick breakdown:

Stud Earring Size Guide

How to Choose Your Stud Earring Cut

There are many directions you can go in when choosing the cut of your stud earrings. Some are bold, some are subtle, some are classic, and some are unlike anything that’s in the market, courtesy of GLD’s design team. GLD’s stud earring collection features six different cuts, including round cut, square-cut, cushion-cut, pave, clustered, and signature shapes.

The round cut is the most classic stud that works for virtually anyone. It features a round brilliant-cut diamond that’s designed to shine because of the precise angles which capture and reflect light. Round-cut options are available in 3mm to 10mm for CZ, 5mm to 8mm in moissanite, and in lab-grown diamonds.

A square-cut diamond, or princess cut, features a brilliant square-shaped diamond. It is set in a classic four-prong or square-shaped metal frame that highlights its linear edges. Square-cut options are available in 5mm to 10mm in both CZ and lab-grown diamond.

Cushion-cut diamond earrings feature square or rectangular-shaped stones with curved corners. It’s commonly referred to as a “pillow” shape because of its softly rounded corners. It’s the perfect blend of square-cut and round-cut diamonds. Cushion-cut options are available in up to 10mm in CZ and in lab-grown diamond.

Pave-cut diamond earrings refer to a pave setting, where smaller diamond stones are tightly set together to create the illusion that the entire surface is “paved” with continuous diamonds. They are set so closely together that the metal beneath them is barely visible. Pave-cut options are available in 3mm to 10mm in both CZ and moissanite.

Clustered-cut stones are similar to pave-cut, in the sense that they feature multiple diamonds grouped together to create the look of a larger, brilliant stone. Clustered-cut stud earrings are available in both CZ and moissanite.

GLD’s design team has also created stud earrings in signature shapes, including crosses, ankhs, weed leaves, triangles, and stars. These are available in CZ and moissanite.

Stud Earring Cut Guide

  

How to Choose Your Metal

The metal tone of your stud earrings is a subtle detail that can change their overall appearance. There are five different metal options across the GLD collection, including white gold, yellow gold, rose gold, sterling silver, and solid white gold. White gold and sterling silver offer a cool, bright finish that is the most popular for studs. Yellow gold is a timeless, classic finish that is warmer than white gold and sterling silver. Rose gold is also warm and distinct. This is the most unique option in the collection. Solid white gold is exclusive to the lab-grown diamond studs and is the naturally white, most premium choice. Every GLD earring comes with 14K solid gold posts, which is the part that actually touches your ear, which won't irritate new or existing piercings.

  

Diamond Stud Earrings by Budget

GLD offers different price points across the entire stud earring collection, so no matter what your budget is, there’s a set of earrings that will make you shine exactly the way you need to. Check out the full collection for a wide variety of options to find the best pair for you, and review the GLD picks below for each price range.

Diamond Stud Earrings by Budget

  

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between CZ, moissanite, and lab-grown diamond studs?
CZ, or cubic zirconia, looks and shines like a diamond for a fraction of the price and is the most accessible for any budget. Moissanite is a brilliant gemstone made of lab-grown silicon carbide whose shine rivals that of a natural diamond, sometimes exceeding it, and passes the standard diamond tester. Lab-grown diamonds are real diamonds, grown in weeks in a lab, with the same exact chemical structure of pure carbon in a crystalline formation, scoring 10/10 on the Mohs scale.

What size diamond stud earrings should I get?
The answer depends on personal style. A 3mm stud is the most subtle option. It’s minimalist and sits close to the ear for everyday understated wear. A 5mm is GLD’s most versatile size, visible but not oversized, and works for any occasion. A 7mm offers noticeable presence without going full statement. An 8mm is bold daily wear for anyone who wants their studs to be seen. A 10mm is the most commanding option in the collection.

What is the most classic stud earring cut?
The round cut is the most classic stud that works for virtually anyone. It features a round brilliant-cut diamond designed to shine because of the precise angles which capture and reflect light. Round-cut options are available in 3mm to 10mm for CZ, 5mm to 8mm in moissanite, and in lab-grown diamonds.

What is a pave stud earring?
A pave stud earring features smaller diamond stones tightly set together to create the illusion that the entire surface is paved with continuous diamonds. They are set so closely together that the metal beneath them is barely visible. Pave-cut options are available in 3mm to 10mm in both CZ and moissanite.

What metal should I choose for diamond stud earrings?
There are five metal options across GLD’s stud earring collection. White gold and sterling silver offer a cool, bright finish that is the most popular for studs. Yellow gold is a timeless, classic finish that is warmer. Rose gold is warm and distinct, and the most unique option in the collection. Solid white gold is exclusive to the lab-grown diamond studs, is naturally white, and is the most premium choice.

Do GLD stud earrings come with solid gold posts?
Yes. Every GLD earring comes with 14K solid gold posts, the part that actually touches your ear, which won't irritate new or existing piercings.

How much should I spend on diamond stud earrings?
GLD’s stud earring collection covers every budget. CZ studs start at $90, moissanite studs start at $96, and lab-grown diamond studs in solid white gold start from $1,000. No matter what your budget is, there's an option for every style and budget.

Are diamond stud earrings unisex?
Yes. Diamond stud earrings have been worn across cultures for thousands of years, from ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia to royalty in the Georgian era to key cultural moments like when Louis Gossett Jr. wore a diamond stud at the 1983 Academy Awards. GLD’s stud earring collection is designed for everyone.

J John Polanco