Bezel Moissanite Studs, 3mm to 6mm in 925 Silver

A bezel wraps metal all the way around the girdle of the stone instead of gripping it with prongs. That changes three things. Nothing catches on wool, hair or a mask strap, so it is the setting to choose for daily wear and for sleeping in. The rim also protects the most fragile edge of the stone. And because the metal border adds visible diameter, a bezel set stud reads a size larger than a prong set stone of the same carat.

The stones are round cut moissanite in solid 925 sterling silver, not plated base metal, so the part touching your ear will not corrode or turn skin green. Moissanite earns its place at these sizes because small stones rely on brightness rather than bulk: a refractive index near 2.65 returns more light than diamond does, and Mohs 9.25 hardness keeps the polish from going soft where the bezel rubs against it.

Two decisions to make. Size runs 3mm at 0.1ct, 4mm at 0.3ct, 5mm at 0.5ct and 6mm at 0.8ct; the 3mm and 4mm are everyday sizes that stay neat under a helmet, while 5mm and 6mm have real presence on the lobe. Backs are push or screw. Push backs go on and off quickly and suit earrings you change often. Screw backs thread onto the post and will not work loose, which is what you want on the larger stones.

• Stone: round cut moissanite
• Sizes: 3mm 0.1ct, 4mm 0.3ct, 5mm 0.5ct, 6mm 0.8ct
• Metal: real 925 sterling silver
• Setting: full bezel, rub over rim
• Backs: push back or screw back
• Sold as a pair, suits men and women