Category Archives: News

One of the Largest Diamonds in the World Discovered

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Last month, one of the largest diamonds in the world was discovered in Lesotho, a small country in Southern Africa. The newly unearthed diamond, mined from the Gem Diamond’s Limited owned Letseng mine, is a whopping 910 carats, making it the fifth largest raw diamond ever discovered.

The Letseng mine has been known to produce other exceptionally large and high-quality diamonds in the past. The mine has also produced a 493-carat diamond, a 550-carat diamond, and a 603-carat diamond. But their newly mined, massive diamond is by far the largest the mine has produced.

A Closer Look at the 4Cs of Fifth-Largest Raw Diamond

  • Carat: 910 carats
  • Color: D color Type IIa
  • Clarity: Currently Unknown
  • Cut: Currently Uncut

 

Another thing that’s exciting about this newly-discovered diamond is the exceptionally high quality of the gem. In addition to its high carat weight (it’s said to be as big as two golf balls), it also has an excellent color. The new gem is a D color Type IIa diamond, an incredibly white diamond with absolutely no trace of nitrogen discoloration.

The clarity of the diamond remains to be seen and will likely be evaluated after the stone is cut. And the cut of the diamond, always one of the most important indicators of diamond quality, will also be hugely important in determining the quality— and the value— of the diamond.

The Value of the Fifth-Largest Raw Diamond

The value of this newly discovered diamond depends hugely on how the diamond is cut and whether or not it is found to have any major inclusions. Certainly, even if the diamond has large inclusions, it will still garner a high price due to its carat and color alone. But if the diamond has few very minor inclusions, it could become of one of the most expensive diamonds in the world.

Determining the value of the diamond is all speculation at this point. But Ben Davis, an analyst at Liverum Capital Markets, told Bloomberg, “.. assuming there are no large inclusions running through the diamond, we initially estimate a sale of $40 million.”

The Five Largest Rough Diamonds Ever Discovered

  • Cullinan Diamond (3,106 carats)
  • Lesedi La Rona Diamond (1,109 carats)
  • Excelsior Diamond (995 carats)
  • Star of Sierra Leone (969 carats)
  • The newly-discovered Letseng diamond (910 carats)

 

The discovery of this new diamond marks a new entry in the top five largest rough diamonds ever unearthed. Because it’s a new entry, it’s also currently the only diamond without a nickname. Whether it’s named before or after it’s cut, this incredible new find is sure to be buzzed about for many years to come.

The Best Setting for Your Diamond Studs

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Diamond earrings are classic, gorgeous, and endlessly customizable. One of the main things to consider when shopping for diamond earrings is your choice of setting. A diamond earring’s setting hugely impacts its overall style. Looking for something more glamorous, more modern, or more elegant? There’s a setting for you. There’s really no one best diamond stud earring setting for everyone— what’s best for you is what you love, what fits your personal style. But what are the different styles of settings? We’ve put together a list of the three best diamond stud earring settings below.

Prong: Classic and Beautiful

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4-Prong Basket Diamond Studs in 14k White Gold

Prong settings are perhaps the most popular setting for diamond stud earrings. In this setting, the prongs surround your diamond, securely cradling them in place. This is an elegant, classic style that really lets your diamonds shine. With a prong setting, you can see the sides of your diamond in addition to the top, giving you a touch of extra sparkle.

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3-Prong Martini Diamond Studs in 14k White Gold

There are two different prong options to choose from, 4-prong basket settings and 3-prong martini settings. The 4-prong basket is the most commonly used prong setting— it’s a true classic. 3-prong martini settings give a different, more streamlined silhouette, as the diamond sits more snugly in the triangular setting. 3-prong settings are a great option for those who love this sleek variation on the classic prong setting.

Bezel: Modern and Strong

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Bezel Set Diamond Studs in 14k White Gold

Bezel settings offer a more modern look. In a bezel setting, the edges of the top of your diamond are enclosed within the setting, creating a simple and sleek appearance. But bezel settings are not only stylish— they’re also incredibly secure. Because your diamonds are totally enclosed in the setting, they have additional protection from any bumps, drops, or scrapes.

Halo: Gorgeously Glamorous

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Halo Set Diamond Studs in 14k White Gold

The halo setting is incredibly glamorous. In a halo setting, your center diamonds are surrounded by a ring, or “halo,” of smaller diamonds. This adds extra sparkle to your look, and makes your center diamonds look larger. Halo settings have been a popular style in recent years, as many are drawn their glamorous style and big impact.

Ready to choose your best diamond stud earring setting? Head over to our custom diamond stud builder to create your perfect diamond stud earrings.

Jewelry Trends That Will Instantly Upgrade Your Look

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This fall’s jewelry trends are beautifully bold and unique, perfectly complementing the season’s bold and luxurious styles. This year’s runways were packed with luxurious basics, like soft knits and sharp plaids, and glamorous elements, like embroidery and velvet. The jewelry of the season echoes this luxe and unique style, with pieces that have uniquely glamorous touches that catch the eye. Even this season’s basics are anything but basic, with unique touches like unusual sizing and brightly colored precious gemstones.  

Because this season’s jewelry is full of show-stoppers, you can easily upgrade any look by adding one of these trending pieces. Here are some of the current jewelry trends that embrace the fun, unique attitude of the season, and some ideas on how you can wear them.

Rose Gold Halo Diamond Stud Earrings

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14k Rose Gold Halo Round Diamond Stud Earrings

Rose gold elevates the still-going-strong halo setting trend and updates it for the season. The warmth of rose gold, and the fact that its still a relatively new neutral, makes it the perfect compliment for this season’s trending warm hues.

Wear It With: Pair these simple yet stunning earrings with an embroidered top for a romantic and glamorous look.

Bezel Set Rose Gold Pendant

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14k Rose Gold Bezel Certified Round-Cut Diamond Solitaire Pendant

Rose gold is also a perfect way to make a classic diamond pendant perfectly on-trend. The bezel setting of this beautiful pendant is an added bonus, offering its diamond extra protection while letting it shine.

Wear It With: Add a touch of femininity to this season’s plaid trend with this delicate necklace, or wear this with jeans and a t-shirt for casual elegance.

Ruby Stud Earrings

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Platinum 4-Prong Basket Round Ruby Gemstone Stud Earrings

Red is a huge trend for fall, making the richly red ruby the unofficial gemstone of the season. These gorgeous ruby stud earrings set in platinum are a beautiful way to add the red trend to any outfit.

Wear It With: Add a pop of the season’s most popular color to a black evening ensemble or go all-out-red and pair these gorgeous rubies with one of the season’s boldly red looks.

Diamond Hoops

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14k White Gold Shared Prong Setting Round Diamond Hoop Earrings

These incredible diamond hoops will instantly glam up any outfit. Seen on many celebrities recently, this trend is taking the red carpet by storm. Having larger sized hoops with diamonds on every bit of the setting is less common than having smaller diamond-encrusted hoops, making this classic feel more like a statement piece.

Wear It With: Try wearing these 3 carat stunners with one of the fall’s neutral-toned knit sweater dresses to add some sparkle to your soft, luxe look.

The Stunning Jewelry Trend A-Listers Were Sporting at the 2017 Emmy Awards

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On Sunday night, the biggest stars of television gathered at the Microsoft Theater in downtown Los Angeles for the 2017 Emmy Awards. Besides tuning in to see which of the year’s many great series would take home awards, our eyes were glued to what jewelry pieces our favorite celebrities would be donning for the big night. The real winner of the Emmy Awards? Tennis bracelets. The chic and elegant bracelet with linked diamonds was the popular choice of jewelry for some of the best-dressed actresses, helping give them a truly timeless look with a lavish dash of sparkle. Here, our experts at DiamondStuds.com give you the inside scoop on the biggest jewelry trend of this year’s Emmys.

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A-listers Jessica Biel and Zoe Kravitz headlined the night’s jewelry trend, showcasing gorgeous tennis bracelets that perfectly complement each of their outfits. Jessica Biel wore a jaw-dropping silver and beige Ralph & Russo Couture gown with an alluring thigh-high split that put her on our best-dressed list as soon as she walked the red carpet. She finished off her look with a bombshell pompadour hairdo and a tennis bracelet with captivating cushion diamonds that was absolutely breathtaking!

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The red carpet was a fashion runway for style icon Zoe Kravitz, who wore a spectacular feathered gown by Dior that featured a one-of-a-kind rainbow ombre with a tasteful black top section. She put an exclamation on her glamorous outfit with the perfect combination of fine diamond jewelry that included a dazzling diamond encrusted tennis bracelet as well as a set of classic diamond studs. With Big Little Lies having won an Emmy for Outstanding Limited Series, in addition to her unquestionably having one of the most talked about looks of the night, it’s safe to say it was an amazing Emmy Awards for Kravitz.

Having graced the wrists of some of the best-dressed actresses of the night, tennis bracelets were definitely the hottest jewelry trend of the night. The classic bracelet has a refined and sophisticated aesthetic that can take any ensemble to the next level, just as it did for some of the stars at this year’s Emmys.

July’s Birthstone: The Royal Ruby

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While all birthstones have a distinct meaning and unique beauty, those born in July are perhaps the most fortunate considering their birthstone is the ever-enchanting ruby. Hailed by many as the king of precious gemstones and known throughout the world for its dazzling beauty, the ruby has many characteristics that make it a special gemstone for many people, but especially for those born in July.

Historians believe that rubies were traded on the Silk Road as early as 200BC and have traced the ruby back to many other ancient civilizations including ancient Greece, demonstrating the gem’s long-standing significance in the world. For these different ancient cultures, the ruby was highly symbolic and meaningful, and a great deal of that symbolic meaning is still attached to the gemstone today. The ruby is believed to represent arguably some of the most important aspects of life—love, protection, and prosperity. Legend has it that due to the ruby’s strength and durability, many ancient warriors donned rubies on their shields to grant them protection. In addition, being a stone that adorned the upper classes of society throughout history, the ruby became a symbol of wealth and prosperity.

One defining aspect of the ruby that makes it so special is its rich and radiant red color. The ruby’s brilliant red color is often associated with vitality, passion, and a zest for life and love. This is the reason many find the ruby to be a high-energy stone. Rubies can be found in many different shades of red, from rich tonal shades to bright and vivid hues.

Today, rubies are one of the most sought-after precious gemstones in the world.  Given their unparalleled beauty and deeply symbolic meaning, the highly coveted gems make for one of the most specials gifts available. As their birthstone, a ruby is a particularly appropriate gift for someone born in July. A piece of ruby jewelry is a gift that a person born in July will have a special connection with for the rest of their lives. Below, our expert team at DiamondStuds.com lists a few of our favorite ruby earrings that will make the perfect gift for a July baby.

1 Carat Round Ruby Earrings with 14K Rose Gold 3-Prong Martini Setting

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Featuring large ruby gemstones with a 1 carat total weight, this stunning pair of earrings are timeless and elegant in every sense. The ruby stones are secured by a 14 karat rose gold 3 prong martini setting that not only highlights the rubies and enhances their brilliance, but in addition accents them beautifully.

1 Carat Round Ruby Earrings with Platinum Bezel Setting

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For an undeniably bolder look, our experts at DiamondStuds.com suggest this pair of ruby earrings with a platinum bezel setting. The classic ruby stones are paired with a platinum bezel setting to create a combination that brings one of the world’s most precious gemstones together with one of the world’s rarest metals. The result is absolutely jaw-dropping.

1 Carat Round Ruby Earrings with Halo Diamonds

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What can possibly be better than gorgeous ruby earrings? Simple, ruby earrings with halo set diamonds. Our final staff pick for someone born in July that features their ruby birthstone is this pair of earrings that is outfitted with a .60 carat ruby center stone and surrounded by small pavé diamonds weighing a total of .40 carat. The awe-inspiring pair of earrings also feature 18 karat white gold throughout, making this what some would call the perfect pair of earrings.

 

May Birthstone: The Benefits of EMERALDS

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14k White Gold 4-Prong Basket Round Green Emerald Gemstone Stud Earrings

Emeralds: these sparkling green gems have been highly prized for thousands of years. They’re a part of the “big four” of precious stones, along with diamonds, rubies, and sapphires. While other gemstones come in multiple shades, emeralds are always green. This signature green color is why emeralds ended up becoming the May birthstone. The deep, rich green color of the emerald has always been closely associated with Spring, making it a perfect match for May’s new blooms. Because it’s the month of the emerald, we decided to take a closer look at the many benefits of this month’s birthstone!

What makes emeralds so special?

They’re Durable

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18k White Gold Bezel Round Green Emerald Gemstone Stud Earrings

Let’s start with a practical reason why emeralds are so beneficial: they’re incredibly durable. Emeralds are extremely hard. This means that they’re not easily scratched and can stand the test of time, making them great for everyday wear. But it is important to clean them gently (using no harsh chemicals) as emeralds are often treated to reduce the appearance of their natural inclusions.

They’re Associated With Royalty

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14k Yellow Gold Halo Round Green Emerald Gemstone Earrings

Emeralds have been worn by royals throughout the ages and were, in particular, a favorite of Cleopatra. Prized for their deep green color, they’ve been featured in many crown jewels, like King Henry II’s famous emerald ring and Queen Elizabeth’s emerald diadem. This association with royalty has created an added air of luxury around emeralds.

They Represent Growth

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18k Yellow Gold 4-Prong Basket Round Green Emerald Gemstone Stud Earrings

Because of their deep green color, emeralds have long been associated with growth. The stone is said to help promote inner growth in the wearer, helping them improve spiritually. Because of their association with positive growth, emeralds are also said to be the best stone to promote fertility.

They Activate The Heart Chakra

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14k Rose Gold Halo Round Green Emerald Gemstone Earrings

Among those who practice spiritual healing, emeralds are said to open the heart chakra. Doing this causes more unity, compassion, and unconditional love to be brought into your life. Their close association with the heart chakra means that emeralds are the best stone for improving relationships and creating contentment in your life.

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14k White Gold 3-Prong Martini Round Green Emerald Gemstone Stud Earrings

So, there you have it: some of the many benefits of emeralds. Whether you want to bring more growth into your life, gift a May baby their birthstone, or simply add more beauty to your life, DiamondStuds.com has the perfect emerald earrings for you. You can choose from different precious metals and setting styles to create your perfect pair. And, because Diamond Studs is currently celebrating the May birthstone, you can get a pair of emerald stud earrings worth $250 FREE with any Diamond Stud Earrings order of $999 or more. Just enter promo code EMERALD to take advantage of this limited time offer!

Perfect Gift for Mom (2017 edition)

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Mother’s Day is just around the corner and that means it’s time for our annual roundup of our top gifts your mother will love. We’ve picked this year’s most loved pieces that will put a sparkle in your mother’s eye. Check out our four perfect gift ideas for mom below!

Diamond Stud Earrings

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Is there anything more classic or elegant than a pair of diamond studs? They are one of the most versatile pieces of jewelry you can have in your collection. Diamond studs are a stunning way to add sparkle to any look. And, even better: all of our diamond studs are completely customizable. You can choose your setting, precious metal, diamond shape, diamond size, and diamond quality. With these customizable options, you can create exactly the pair of diamond studs your mother will love.

Diamond Pendant

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Diamond pendants are another incredibly versatile piece. This versatility, coupled with the elegance of this look, has made diamond pendants a classic that your mother will be able to wear for a lifetime. All of the diamond pendants at DiamondStuds.com are also customizable. This means that you can choose from any precious metal, setting, and diamond to create the necklace your mother has always dreamed of.

Colored Diamond Ring

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Colored diamonds are an exotic and beautiful choice for fine jewelry. Gift your mother a colored diamond ring, like this four prong set blue diamond ring or this bezel set yellow diamond stunner. This is a great gift for a mother who loves glamour and having fun with fashion.

Round Dangle Stud Earrings

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Round dangle earrings, also known as drop earrings, are a pretty addition to any jewelry collection. Drop earrings have a certain delicacy that adds elegance to any look. These earrings are a beautiful gift for the mother who has a chic, understated style.

If you’re looking to surprise your mother with jewelry this year, you’re in luck: right now, you can use the code LOVEMOMfor huge site wide savings at Diamond Studs. You can save $50 off $499, $100 off $999, $500 off $4,999, and 1,000 off of 9,999! Choose from our diamond studs, diamond pendants, solitaire diamond rings, and more. And if you place your online order now, it’s guaranteed to get to your house by Mother’s Day (May 14th) or earlier! Wow! your mom with jewelry and create a Mother’s Day moment she’ll never forget.

The Benefits of DIAMONDS (Diamond Jewelry)

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Those who have their birthday in April are lucky: their birthstone is the coveted diamond. Diamonds are one of the most sought after precious stones in the world. But why exactly are diamonds deemed so desirable?

  1. They’re Strong

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One huge benefit of diamonds is their incredible durability. It is the hardest naturally occurring material on Earth, which means that it’s unlikely to get scratched or damaged by basically anything. Diamonds are so hard that they are often used in machine production to cut or grind industrial materials. Diamonds also have an incredibly high melting point— they can even survive being engulfed in flames!

  1. They’re Beautiful

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All gemstones are beautiful, of course, but diamonds have a specific brilliance that outshines the rest. This is because they have the most clarity of any gemstone, meaning that they can shine the most light. And most diamonds are cut specifically to increase their light reflection and refraction so that they shine even more and truly steal the spotlight.

  1. They’ve Got Variety

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White diamonds are some of the most versatile gemstones. Their clear color goes with anything. But diamonds can actually form in a huge array of colors like blue, green, yellow, or pink. Today, you can even color treat white diamonds, making them any color you like. This makes diamonds as versatile as a rainbow!

  1. They’re An Investment

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Diamonds are one of the most precious and therefore expensive stones. Diamonds sell for a high price so, when you buy one, you’re buying an investment piece that carries a great value.

  1. They’re Meaningful

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Perhaps the most compelling benefit of wearing diamonds is the loving meaning behind the gemstone. Diamonds represent the idea of “forever.” Giving a diamond is a loving gesture. It is a gift that symbolizes the eternity of a bond of love, whether it be a marital bond, a familial bond, or a bond of friendship.

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Diamonds are a great gift anytime but are an especially good gift for April birthdays. If you’re in the market for diamonds this April, you’re in luck: we’re having a spring sale! SAVE 10% SITEWIDE with promo code APRIL. You can save 10% on our amazing selection of diamond studs, rings, and necklaces, as well as on all our other precious gemstone jewelry. Happy shopping!

Don’t Forget Your Green This St. Patrick’s Day

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14k Yellow Gold 4-Prong Basket Round Green Emerald Gemstone Stud Earrings

Today, the color green is the first thing that many people think of when they think about St. Patrick’s Day. This is because wearing green is the most popular way for people to publicly commemorate the day. While St. Patrick’s Day is primarily now a day to celebrate Irish culture, this day actually began as a Catholic Holy Day commemorating Saint Patrick.

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St. Patrick’s Day celebrates Saint Patrick, the Patron Saint of Ireland. The day marks the date of his death, March 17th, and commemorates the universal baptism of Ireland. St. Patrick was born in 4th century Britain but spent his life preaching and converting the Irish to Christianity.

St. Patrick was actually originally associated with the color blue. So, why do we associate green with his holiday? Green became associated with St. Patrick’s day once the holiday shifted from being a Holy Day to a day of public festivities celebrating Irish heritage. Ireland has been strongly associated with the color green due to the country’s lush green landscape and its national symbol – the shamrock four-leafed clover.

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One of the oldest St. Patrick’s Day traditions is pinning a shamrock to your lapel for good luck. This fits with modern traditions too, as shamrocks and the color green are widely associated with luck. Green also symbolizes prosperity, money, good fortune, balance, new growth, and vitality.

The most common St. Patrick’s Day tradition today has certainly become wearing the lucky color green. There are other traditions, like drinking Irish beers, eating Irish foods, and holding parades, but at any of those activities, you’ll always find seas of people wearing green. Here in the United States, it’s even a tradition for those who aren’t wearing green to be affectionately pinched.

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18k White Gold Bezel Round Green Emerald Gemstone Stud Earrings

Green is everywhere on St. Patrick’s Day. So draw in some luck, celebrate the festivities, or just avoid getting pinched by making sure you are sporting green on March 17th. Emerald earrings are a perfect way to add a pop of green to your outfit or to complement the green you’re already wearing. In addition to being associated with luck and nature, emeralds are also associated with love, prosperity, compassion, and enjoying life to the fullest. Many spiritual healers say that emeralds are a great way to revive passionate energy in your life, whether it be in love, at work, or just in general.

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Platinum 3-Prong Martini Round Green Emerald Gemstone Stud Earrings

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14k White Gold Halo Round Green Emerald Gemstone Earrings

Wearing green is a great way to express St. Patrick’s Day spirit or just bring a pop of lucky green into your everyday life. And, if you’re interested in getting a pair of emerald studs to brighten up your jewelry collection, you’re in luck: DiamondStuds.com currently has a limited time sale on all of our emerald studs! Use the promo code LUCKY to get $50 off on $499, $500 off on $4,999, $100 off on $999, or $1,000 of on $9,999. Happy St. Patrick’s Day from DiamondStuds.com!

The 2017 Oscars Fashion Recap

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Photo Credit: Pop Sugar

Photo Credit: Pop Sugar

The 2017 Oscars were an exciting year for the award show— and not just because of the historic blunder made by presenters Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway (they received the wrong card and announced that La La Land had won Best Picture rather than Moonlight, the actual winner). This year’s show was also an exceptionally good one for fashion.

The Oscars are always one of the most exciting days of the year for fashion lovers. The dazzling array of designer gowns and jewels that walk down the Oscars red carpet don’t just create a beautiful show— these looks also set the tone for fashion for the upcoming year. Elegance abounded at the Oscars this year, with many stars choosing looks with a refined glamour.

Photo Credit: Wenner Media

Photo Credit: Wenner Media

Neutral tones ruled the carpet this year, with neutral toned metallics leading the pack and black and white having major moments as well. Hidden Figures’ Janelle Monae had a standout look— she made almost every best-dressed list with her stunning Elie Saab black, white, and metallic dress. The night’s best actress winner Emma Stone also had a winning fashion moment. Her pale gold metallic Givenchy dress and elegant Tiffany & Co. drop earrings had critics saying she looked like the award she received.

Overall, bold, yet elegant jewelry was the major accessory trend this year. Bolder statement pieces like drop earrings, oversized chokers, and cuff-style earrings could be found on many stars.

Photo Credit: Coveteur

Photo Credit: Coveteur

Photo Credit: Celebmafia

Photo Credit: Celebmafia

Drop earrings were everywhere on this year’s red carpet. Charlize Theron had some of the boldest earrings of the night with her Chopard stunners, and Emma Roberts showed off the subtle side of this look with her slimmer danglers.

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Get the look: Check out our collection of elegant, customizable dangle diamond earrings and our stunning fashion collection to get this look for less.

Photo Credit: Tom and Lorenzo

Photo Credit: Tom and Lorenzo

Photo Credit: Wenner Media

Photo Credit: Wenner Media

Photo Credit: Wenner Media

Photo Credit: Wenner Media

Photo Credit: Teen Vogue

Photo Credit: Teen Vogue

Intricate stud earrings were also popular at the awards show, being worn by Karlie Kloss, Janelle Monae, and simpler studs being worn by Michelle Williams or Hailee Steinfeld. Studs are always a red carpet go to but they were particularly prominent this year because they pair so well with the oversized choker trend.

Get the look: Get their look with our customizable diamond studs or our selection of diamond cluster earrings

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