Diamond Set Earrings
Diamond set earrings span multiple decades, offering sparkling stones set in precious metals for everyday wear and formal occasions.
Diamond Set Earrings
Diamond set earrings encompass a broad selection of historic and mid-century jewels designed to be worn on the lobes. When searching for diamond set earrings, buyers encounter everything from modest daily studs to elaborate drop designs featuring substantial carat weights.
The pieces appearing on this page draw from Victorian, Edwardian and Art Deco aesthetics, alongside mid-century creations from the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s. Studs, clusters and dangle drops dominate the forms available to collectors.
Variations range from simple solitaire studs in yellow gold or platinum to complex multi-stone suites incorporating emeralds, sapphires and black boulder opals alongside the central diamonds.
Materials and construction
Maker construction relies heavily on precious metals including platinum, white gold, yellow gold, rose gold and silver. These metals provide the structural strength needed to secure small and large stones alike.
Gemstone setting techniques vary by period, utilising bezel settings, claw settings and flush mountings to hold old cut, rose cut and modern diamonds securely within the metalwork.
Diamond Set Earrings Retail Price Guide 2026
Typical asking prices for diamond set earrings among the pieces listed under this phrase on Sellingantiques today, from the lower quarter to the upper quarter. They describe what is for sale here now, not the wider market.
Listings feature platinum, gold and silver combined with diamonds across multiple decades from Victorian to mid-century.
Quality factors
Quality in these jewels rests primarily on the calibre of the stones and the finesse of the metalworking. Superior pieces display well-matched diamonds with strong brilliance and secure, precise settings.
The overall design integrity and the preservation of original mounts distinguish finer examples. Pieces that retain their original screw backs, ear wires or structural geometry command greater attention from discerning collectors.
The Diamond Set Earrings Glossary
- Solitaire
- A single diamond mounted independently on the earring fitting. This term typically describes clean, focal-point stones.
- Cluster
- An arrangement where a central diamond is surrounded by a border of smaller stones. This configuration maximises visual presence on the lobe.
- Drop
- An earring style that suspends stones below the earlobe rather than sitting flush. These pieces often swing with movement.
- Old cut
- A historic diamond cutting style characterised by a smaller table and larger facets, common in antique pieces. These stones exhibit a distinctive chunky sparkle under candlelight.
- Bezel set
- A method where a thin metal rim surrounds the stone to hold it in place. This technique offers a smooth outline and secure protection for the girdle.
Diamond Set Earrings: Frequently Asked Questions
What periods do these earrings come from?
The selection includes pieces from the Victorian and Edwardian eras, Art Deco designs, and mid-century items spanning the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s. Each era brings distinct metal choices and stone cuts.
Buyers often find that Victorian and Edwardian examples lean towards delicate yellow gold and white gold mountings, while later decades favour platinum and bolder geometric layouts.
Are these earrings suitable for daily wear?
Most stud and small cluster designs function well for regular wear, provided the settings remain secure and the posts are sturdy. Proper care ensures historic mountings withstand routine use.
Drop and dangling styles with larger carat weights are generally reserved for evening events or special occasions to prevent snagging on clothing.
How do I identify older diamond cuts?
Older diamond cuts, such as old cuts and rose cuts, display hand-faceted surfaces that appear softer and deeper than modern brilliant cuts. They reflect light differently, often showing broader flashes.
Examining the back of the setting often reveals closed-back foils in very early pieces or open-backed mountings in later Edwardian and Art Deco work.
What metals are used in these settings?
Common metals include platinum, 18ct white gold, 18ct yellow gold, 9ct gold, rose gold, silver and palladium. Platinum and white gold became especially popular during the Edwardian and Art Deco periods.
Yellow and rose gold dominate earlier Victorian pieces and mid-century items, offering a warm contrast to the bright sparkle of the diamonds.