| On the topic of fashion advice for women buying | | | | the top. If you purchase basket settings, the diamond |
| diamond stud earrings, there are some well kept | | | | should be set low in the basket, to keep the center of |
| secrets about the setting styles and how appropriate | | | | gravity as close as possible to the ear lobe, for a |
| they are for fitting your ear. Depending on the setting, | | | | proper fit. |
| a diamond stud can either droop downward, or sit | | | | Martini style settings: The best setting, however, is |
| smartly forward on the ear lobe. It is a shame to invest | | | | difficult to find, and it is called a martini style setting. In |
| in a fine pair of diamonds that have a sloppy | | | | this style, the back of the diamond (or culet) rests |
| appearance when worn. | | | | most nearly against the ear lobe. Because the center |
| First, let's dispense with the smaller stones: if you are | | | | of gravity is further backwards, the diamond rests |
| buying one half carat or less total weight (meaning that | | | | straight forward in the ear lobe, for a neat, clean |
| each diamond weighs a quarter carat), then just about | | | | forward look. Martini style settings hold the diamond |
| any setting style will be fine because it is very light | | | | with three prongs as opposed to four prongs as in the |
| weight. | | | | previous two styles of setting. This shows off the |
| However, if you are buying a one carat, two carat or | | | | brilliance and fire of the diamond more effectively |
| larger pair of earrings, you need to carefully consider | | | | because there is less metal covering the actual stone |
| the setting style. There are three basic setting styles | | | | itself. If you hold the martini setting with the post |
| which are described below, and can be compared in | | | | downward, it appears like a martini glass, with three |
| the photos by clicking the "view diamond earrings" link | | | | simple wires that secure the diamond and extend to |
| at the end of this article. | | | | three prongs. |
| Crown style settings: Most retail jewelers sell a crown | | | | In short, if you are looking for a large pair of diamond |
| style setting that pushes the diamond (and the weight) | | | | studs, you should consider a Martini style setting. |
| forward. The heavy weight of this setting will often | | | | Other style settings: As an alternate, you may want to |
| cause the earring to droop downward in your ear lobe, | | | | consider a setting style known as the Eurowire setting |
| which results in a sloppy look. The crown style setting | | | | or lever-back setting. Strictly speaking, this is not a |
| looks like a solid metal cup with oval cutouts which | | | | diamond stud, but it is a pretty setting. The Eurowire is |
| extend into the 4 prongs that secure the diamond. | | | | a C-shaped wire that fits through your ear piercing and |
| Basket style settings: Better diamond studs are | | | | snaps shut in the back. The entire wire is hidden behind |
| mounted deep in a basket setting, which balances the | | | | the ear and the diamond stud rests just beneath the |
| weight more evenly and and results in an earring that | | | | ear lobe, rather than inside it. The weight and shape of |
| displays more or less straight forward in the ear. The | | | | the wire behind the ear insure that the diamond rests |
| basket setting is not solid metal. It is lighter open wire | | | | straight forward just below the ear lobe, to create an |
| and looks like a hoop at the bottom with four | | | | elegant look. |
| perpendicular prong wires, and a second hoop near | | | | |