Moissanite Drop Earrings, 0.5ct or 1ct in s925 Silver

These hang from an ear wire rather than sitting fixed on a post, and the difference is movement. A dropped stone swings a little with every turn of the head, so it keeps finding new angles of light instead of holding one. The wire is also lighter on the lobe than a heavy stud back, which makes a larger stone comfortable for a long evening. The trade off is that drops are better taken off before sleep or sport.

Both carat weights are offered in moissanite or zircon. Moissanite is the harder of the two at 9.25 on the Mohs scale, so it keeps its polish and its edges for years, and its refractive index near 2.65 gives it more fire than diamond, which shows plainly on a stone that moves. Zircon is softer, duller in its light return and will go slightly hazy with time, but it is far cheaper and perfectly respectable as a gift.

Carat weight decides how far the earring reads. The 0.5ct is a quiet drop that works at an office and under a scarf, and it is the version to buy if you want something you never have to think about. The 1ct carries across a room and is the better match for an open neckline. Finishes are rose gold, yellow gold and white gold plating over s925 sterling silver, with 18k white gold plating on the standard version.

• Stone: 0.5ct or 1ct moissanite, or 0.5ct or 1ct zircon
• Metal: s925 sterling silver, 18k white gold plated
• Finish: rose gold, yellow gold or white gold
• Style: ear wire drop
• Fitting: hook through ear wire
• Note: the GRA certificate applies to the moissanite option only