Pick a total weight that suits the wearer's lobe and how often they will be worn, then halve it to picture each stone. Studs are sold by the combined weight of both diamonds, so a 1 ctw pair holds two stones of roughly half a carat apiece. That catches plenty of first-time buyers off guard, because they expect a full carat in each ear.
Small lobes and daily wear usually call for something modest that sits flat and does not tug. For evenings or a milestone gift, going bigger makes sense, and stones a little under a round weight look identical once set while costing noticeably less. To get a feel for scale, compare half carat pairs with one carat pairs side by side.
Four prongs show off the most diamond, which is why they are the classic choice for a stud. Six prongs grip a bit more firmly and make a round outline look rounder. A martini setting holds the stone in three prongs shaped like a cone, so it sits closer to the lobe and feels less bulky under hair or a hat. A bezel wraps the diamond in a smooth rim of metal; nothing snags on sweaters or scarves, though you give up a little light.
Screw backs are the most secure option, while push backs win on speed. If your studs are on the larger side, or will be worn while traveling, chasing toddlers or working out, screw backs take away the fear of a stud slipping off into a sink drain. For lighter pairs worn mostly at a desk, push backs are perfectly sensible and easier to manage first thing in the morning.
A good pair is a matched pair: two stones chosen to sit close in size, color and clarity, so neither ear looks different from the other. Because earrings are seen from conversation distance, you can relax a little on grades. An eye clean clarity, which VS2 and many SI1 stones are in round brilliants, plus a near colorless color in the G to J range, will look bright and white in most metals. Cut still deserves the most attention, since it decides how much the pair sparkles across a room.
Prefer to pick each stone yourself? You can build a matched pair from loose diamonds and choose the setting after. Whatever you choose, shipping is insured at no cost and Rare Carat takes returns free within 30 days, which gives you time to wear them in real light before deciding.