Moissanite Stud Earrings, 0.2ct to 2ct in 925 Silver

A stud earring has one job, which is to sit still and throw light. These are round brilliant cut, held in a six claw basket rather than a four claw one. Six claws grip the girdle at more points, so the stone cannot rock loose when a jumper collar or a hairbrush catches it. The basket also lifts the stone clear of the lobe, which lets light enter from the side instead of dying against skin.

The stones are D colour, VVS1 clarity moissanite. D is the top of the colourless range, so there is no warm cast to fight the white metal, and VVS1 means any inclusion is invisible without magnification. Moissanite has a refractive index of about 2.65 against a diamond's 2.42, which is why it returns more fire, and it sits at 9.25 on the Mohs scale, hard enough that studs worn daily for years keep their polished edges.

Carat weight here is a decision about volume rather than value. The 0.2ct and 0.3ct sit flat and tidy, which is what you want for a second piercing or for work where jewellery should be quiet. The 0.5ct and 0.8ct are the everyday pair most people reach for, big enough to catch light across a room. The 1ct and 2ct stand proud of the lobe and carry evening wear on their own. All sizes come in white, yellow or rose gold plating over sterling silver.

• Stone: round brilliant moissanite, D colour, VVS1 clarity
• Carat options: 0.2ct, 0.3ct, 0.5ct, 0.8ct, 1ct, 2ct and up
• Metal: 925 sterling silver, 14k gold plated
• Finish: white gold, yellow gold or rose gold
• Setting: six claw basket
• Fitting: post and butterfly back