Diamond earrings: your honest buying guide

I've been thinking about diamond earrings a lot lately. Not just because they're having a serious moment on social right now, but because I get asked about them constantly, and honestly, the conversation is more interesting than it used to be. Lab-grown diamonds changed everything, and most people still don't fully understand what that means for them as a buyer.

So if you've been searching for diamond earrings and feeling a bit overwhelmed by all the options, price points, and conflicting information out there, this is for you. I'll tell you exactly what I'd look for, what I'd avoid, and what we actually sell at The Littl right now.

Quick note before we get into it: our diamond earrings are lab-grown diamonds set in 14k solid gold, part of our TL Fine range. Most are pre-order or made to order. I'll be honest about all of that below.

The short answer: our top picks right now

CZ Centre Stud Earrings in 14k yellow gold fill

CZ Centre Stud Earrings, 14k Yellow Gold Fill, $129.99

A single brilliant-cut CZ stone in a simple prong setting, 14k gold-filled posts, hypoallergenic and tarnish-resistant. This is what people picture when they think of a classic diamond stud. Clean, bright, works with everything from a hoodie to a going-out top.

CZ Moon Stud Earrings in sterling silver

CZ Moon Stud Earrings, Sterling Silver, $119.99

For when you want the sparkle of a diamond earring but with a bit more shape. The crescent moon silhouette is set with CZ stones all the way around, so it catches light from every angle. Sterling silver, waterproof, and so much more interesting than a standard round stud. I wear a pair of these almost every week.

CZ Teardrop Earrings

CZ Teardrop Earrings, 14k Yellow Gold Fill or Sterling Silver, $134.99

If you want the full diamond drop earring effect, this is it. A pavé-style teardrop shape that moves when you move, available in gold or silver. Genuinely looks expensive. Perfect for events, but also one of those earrings that somehow works on a Tuesday.

Lab-grown vs mined: the question everyone asks

Not gonna lie, this used to be a more controversial topic. Now? Most jewellers (including us) have landed firmly on lab-grown, and the reasons are pretty straightforward.

A lab-grown diamond is chemically, physically, and optically identical to a mined diamond. Same hardness (10 on the Mohs scale), same brilliance, same sparkle. The only difference is where it came from. One formed over billions of years under the earth's crust. The other was grown in a controlled environment using the same carbon process, just sped up considerably. A gemologist looking at both under a loupe cannot tell the difference without specialist equipment.

The cost difference is real, though. Lab-grown diamonds typically cost a fraction of mined diamonds at the same carat weight. That means you can get a genuinely beautiful stone in a proper solid gold setting without the price tag that used to come with it. For everyday earrings you're actually going to wear, that matters a lot.

At The Littl, every diamond we sell is lab-grown, set in 14k solid gold. We don't sell mined stones, and we won't compare carat prices with mined diamonds as if they're the same product, because they're not priced in the same market.

What to look for in diamond earrings

The metal matters as much as the stone

This is the part people skip and then regret. A beautiful diamond in a cheap setting is like a great painting in a cardboard frame. The metal does three things: it holds the stone securely, it affects how the diamond looks (yellow gold makes a stone look warmer; white gold or silver makes it look icier and brighter), and it determines whether your ears are going to be happy or not.

For diamond earrings specifically, I'd always recommend solid gold over gold-filled or plated. The posts go through your ear, and for something that sits that close to your skin long-term, solid gold is worth it. Our TL Fine diamond pieces are set in 14k solid gold, which sits at 58.3% pure gold. That's the sweet spot for jewellery, hard enough to hold a setting, pure enough to be genuinely hypoallergenic.

If you're curious about how gold alloys work in general, I wrote more about it in our guide to 14k gold jewellery and what it actually means.

Stone size vs stone quality

Genuinely, most people focus too much on carat weight and not enough on cut. The cut is what makes a diamond sparkle. A well-cut 0.3ct stone will outshine a poorly cut 0.6ct stone every single time. For earrings specifically, cut matters more than it does for rings, because earrings move with you and catch light at more angles throughout the day (sounds dramatic but it's true).

When you're shopping, ask: is this described as excellent or very good cut? If the listing doesn't mention cut quality at all, that's information.

The setting style

For diamond earrings you're going to wear every day, the setting style affects practicality as much as aesthetics.

• Prong settings show more of the stone, more light gets in, maximum sparkle. More to snag on things, though.
• Bezel settings wrap the stone in a rim of metal. More protected, more modern-looking, slightly less sparkle.
• Pavé or halo settings are for when you want the whole thing to look like one big glittering cluster. Stunning, but harder to clean.

For everyday wear, a simple bezel or four-prong stud is almost always the right call. Classic, practical, beautiful.

Our CZ picks (for the diamond look, every day)

Here's where I want to be upfront with you. Our TL Fine diamond range is pre-order and made to order. If you want diamond earrings right now, I'd steer you toward our cubic zirconia pieces while you wait, or if you love the sparkle of a diamond-style stone but want something you can wear to the gym, beach, and office without thinking twice.

CZ isn't diamond. I won't pretend it is. But it's optically clear, brilliant, and honestly most people can't tell the difference from a normal conversation distance (lol). And our CZ pieces are set in 14k gold-fill, which means they're made to last, not turn green on you after three weeks.

Browse our full cubic zirconia earrings collection if you want to see everything in this range together.

How to care for diamond and CZ earrings

A few things worth knowing, whether you're wearing real diamonds or CZ:

• Both are water-safe when set in 14k gold-fill or sterling silver. You can shower and swim in them without worrying.
• Avoid spraying perfume directly onto the stones. Fragrance doesn't damage diamonds or CZ, but the residue builds up and dulls the sparkle over time.
• Clean them with a soft cloth or a tiny amount of mild dish soap and warm water, then dry thoroughly. The stone will look brand new.
• Store them flat so the posts don't get bent. A small jewellery tray or the box they came in works perfectly.

For more on keeping your pieces in great shape, our guide to cleaning gold-filled jewellery covers everything you'd need to know.

FAQ: diamond earrings

Are lab-grown diamonds real diamonds?

Yes. They have the same chemical composition, same optical properties, same hardness as mined diamonds. The only difference is origin. A gemologist cannot tell them apart visually.

What's the difference between diamond and CZ earrings?

Cubic zirconia is a synthetic stone, not a diamond. It's optically similar (clear, brilliant) but softer (8.5 on the Mohs scale vs 10 for diamond), and will show more wear over years of daily use. For an everyday pair you rotate through regularly, CZ in a solid gold-fill setting is a great option. For a piece you want to keep and wear for decades, lab-grown diamond in solid gold is the investment.

Can I shower in CZ earrings?

Yes, when the metal is 14k gold-fill or sterling silver. Our CZ Centre Studs and CZ Moon Studs are both fine in water. The stone itself is water-safe, and the gold-fill construction means the metal won't react or tarnish. Just rinse and dry as normal.

What size diamond stud is right for everyday wear?

For everyday wear, 0.3ct to 0.5ct (or the CZ equivalent) is the sweet spot. Big enough to see and appreciate, small enough to wear to work, to the gym, and to sleep in without noticing them. Anything above 1ct starts to feel more like a special-occasion piece, which is fine if that's what you want.

Are diamond earrings a good gift?

Honestly, yes. They're one of those gifts that reads as genuinely thoughtful rather than like you just grabbed something. A classic diamond stud is timeless in a way that a trend piece isn't, and pretty much every woman will wear them. If you're buying for someone else, check out our jewellery gift guide for a few more ideas.

Browsing all our earring styles? The full earrings collection is the best place to start.

What kind of diamond earring are you looking for? A classic everyday stud, something more special-occasion, or a gift for someone? Happy to help you narrow it down if you want to message us.

P.S. If you're torn between the CZ Centre Stud and the CZ Moon Stud, my advice: if you already have plain round studs in your collection, get the moon. It fills a different gap in your rotation and you'll actually reach for both.

You might also like: Lab grown diamond bracelet: your honest buying guide