Valentine’s Day can present a challenge for a lot of guys. You want to get your partner a romantic gift that they’ll love, and one of the most romantic gifts of all is jewelry. Unfortunately, women’s jewelry is not something that a lot of men know how to buy.
Put another way: There’s nothing worse than giving someone a necklace and seeing them try to feign delight at something they clearly don’t love. If only there were one clear, no-brainer jewelry gift you could get your mate for Valentine’s Day.
Well, fortunately, there is: diamond stud earrings.
Why Diamond Studs?
Diamond stud earrings are like the cufflinks of woman’s fashion. They are both elegantly beautiful and eminently useful. They’re neither cheap nor ostentatious–they indicate just the right blend of luxury and taste. Diamond studs can go with just about any outfit a woman will need to wear and are appropriate for any age–which means they’ll be part of her wardrobe for years to come.
There are 6 types of diamond-stud earrings:
- round
- princess
- asscher
- pear
- oval
- cushion
These are available at a range of sizes in platinum, white gold, and yellow settings.
The Engagement Ring Connection
Diamond studs are a particularly good Valentine’s Day gift because of the association with that other far bigger diamond purchase, the engagement ring.
If you’re buying studs for your wife or fiancé, you can find ones that match and compliment the diamond in the ring you got her, which will not only be aesthetically pleasing and romantically appropriate, but will make the process of picking them out easier for you. Blue Nile offers a custom “build your own” tool that lets you play with variables (shape, size, price) to help you match the studs with the engagement ring—a slam dunk if you know she likes the diamond in her ring.
If you’re buying for someone you haven’t proposed to yet, diamond studs are a great way to find out what type of stone she likes, and to experience a little diamond-buying practice before you start shopping for the ring. If she really appreciates the gift, you can have a good sense of the style and stone shape you need to find for the ring, as well as the type of setting she prefers and the metal that works best with her skin tone or wardrobe.
Use The 4Cs Again
Many of the same criteria to consider when buying an engagement ring apply to diamond studs, such as the 4Cs of clarity, cut, color and carat weight. The difference with studs is that you have more leeway when it comes to things like clarity and color: inclusions, for instance, will be a lot less visible on a pair of studs than on a ring, which means you can go for a less expensive grade of clarity.
The diamonds on studs will generally (though not always) be smaller than the stone of an engagement ring, which brings down the price. You can get a beautiful pair for under $1000 if you go for the smaller carat size stones.
The Romantic Effect
Ultimately, diamond studs are a great Valentine’s Day gift because they are supremely romantic.
If you’re married or engaged, they will remind her of the moment you gave her the engagement ring.
If you’re still just dating, diamond studs suggest a romantic seriousness that a lot of women will find irresistible. They’re not engagement-ring serious, but they’re not a casual purchase either. They clearly show you’ve moved beyond the dozen red roses and/or a nice dinner.
Even better, the blend of romantic and practical shows that you’ve actually put some thought into this gift. In her eyes, that might be the best part of all.
(On the other hand, if you do want to buy more adventurous jewelry, see our article on Valentine’s Day Tips for Buying Women’s Rings, Bracelets and Necklaces.)
