| The word 'diamond' is derived from an | | | | diamond clips are for non-pierced ears. |
| ancient Greek work meaning "impossible | | | | Post earrings use a clutch, nut or some |
| to tame." Diamonds are one of the | | | | other means to support it in the ear. |
| best-known forms of carbon. They have | | | | Post earrings with a solitary diamond at |
| been used as gems from time immemorial | | | | the end are called stud earrings. Wire |
| and have a wide variety of industrial | | | | earrings like fish hooks and kidney |
| applications. The popularity of diamonds | | | | wires use a differently shaped small |
| increased in the 19th century because of | | | | wire that slips through the pierced ear |
| improved cutting and polishing | | | | to hold the earrings in place. Sometimes |
| techniques. The quality of the diamond | | | | a hook at the back is used as an |
| is usually judged by the four C's, | | | | additional support. In the clip earrings |
| referring to carat, clarity, color and | | | | a hinged clip clasps the earring in the |
| cut. | | | | ear lobe. |
| Diamond earrings are a personal | | | | Diamond earrings vary in style, price |
| adornment worn attached to the ear lobe. | | | | range, size and weight. The diamond may |
| Egyptians initiated the fashion of | | | | be set with other diamonds or precious |
| earrings by first wearing large gold | | | | stones like emeralds, rubies and |
| hoops, which eventually grew smaller and | | | | sapphires in yellow, white or red gold, |
| also contained a pendant. In Babylonia | | | | silver, rhodium or platinum. There are |
| and Assyria, men used to wear earrings | | | | infant and baby earrings as small as |
| as a sign of position. The Romans were | | | | 0.06 carat, which is a 2-millimeter |
| connoisseurs of earrings set with | | | | diamond in each ear, available for $49. |
| precious stones. In the 18th century the | | | | On the other hand, some earrings set in |
| diamond earring became more fashionable, | | | | platinum with an 18K princess-cut |
| and the 19th century witnessed the | | | | diamond are priced over $5,000, and can |
| extensive use of the cameo. | | | | be as expensive as $20,000. |
| Two basic types of diamond earrings | | | | Elegant and sophisticated, diamond |
| exist. Diamond post and diamond wire | | | | earrings have always been considered a |
| earrings are for pierced ears, while | | | | favorite piece of jewelry with women. |