The pair that sold most, how big to go, white or yellow, and what 18K means for a post
Start with a diamond cluster stud, a round or square face of small diamonds on a post. Clusters sold more pairs here in the year than every other kind together. Pick one 7 to 9 mm across, the size most buyers chose, in white or yellow gold. Choose 18K for the deep yellow and the higher gold content, and treat it a little more gently than a harder, lower karat.
Cluster studs: 18k gold diamond stud earrings and cluster earrings
Start with a cluster stud. It sets small diamonds into one round or square face on a post, and some mix baguettes in with the rounds for a sharper flash. Nine of the ten pairs that sold most in the year were clusters. Nearly all of them are 7 to 9 mm across.
For one diamond in each ear, take a solitaire stud, 4 to 5 mm across. A halo stud rings its center diamond with smaller ones. More of the look is on women's cluster earrings and baguette earrings.
Diamonds: natural or lab-grown diamond earrings in 18K, carat and grade
Natural diamonds fill most of the page, and all ten best sellers carry them. Seven listings use lab-grown instead. On four halo and center-stone studs only the center is grown and the small stones around it are mined, so read the origin line for both. Grown or mined, both are diamond.
The best sellers hold about a third of a carat to 0.9 carat in all. Most grade G to H in color and SI to VS2 in clarity, white and lively at earring distance. Where a listing does not say if its carat is one earring or the pair, ask us.
18K gold: what 18k gold means, the 750 stamp, and 18k vs 14k earrings
18K means three quarters of the metal is pure gold, and the usual mark reads 18K or 750. With less alloy than 14K, the yellow runs deeper and warmer, and many sensitive ears get along with it better. The trade is softness. Posts bend and prongs wear a little sooner, so take the pair off for sleep and the gym.
For a harder pair in the same styles, compare 14K gold earrings, or read 10K vs 14K vs 18K gold.
Color: 18k white gold or yellow gold earrings, and rose gold
Pick white or yellow on the listing. Most pairs come in both, and the ten best sellers are made in those two only. Rose is offered on close to half. White gold is a pale alloy, usually plated with rhodium for its bright white, and the plating can be renewed when it wears. If metal bothers you, ask the desk which alloy and plating a white pair has.
Hoops, drops and color stones: 18k gold hoop earrings and gemstone earrings
Six hoops and huggies, each set with diamonds, run 13 to 21 mm across. Three drops hang 30 to 40 mm long. Three butterflies round it out. Eight pairs carry a sapphire, ruby or emerald, and canary or black diamonds color a few more. For more hoops in every karat, see women's hoop earrings.
Ask about any pair on the live chat, or call or text 212-872-9692 from 10 AM ET.