There's a reason diamond studs have been the world's most gifted fine jewellery for fifty years. They work with everything. They never go out of style. And on the right person — you — they make everything else look more intentional.
The shift in 2026: South African buyers are choosing lab-grown diamonds and GRA-certified moissanite over mined diamonds — and getting significantly more stone for the same budget. Here's what you need to know before you buy.
What Makes a Great Stud Earring
Three things determine how a stud looks on the ear: stone size, setting style, and metal. Get all three right and you have something that looks exceptional at every price point.
Stone Size
For everyday studs, 0.1–0.3ct per ear is the most wearable range. Big enough to catch light, small enough to never feel overdressed at the office. For statement studs — dinner, events, gifts — 0.4ct and above makes real presence.
Setting Style
Bezel settings (where the metal wraps the stone) are more secure and modern-looking. Prong settings (metal claws holding the stone) maximise how much light reaches the stone, giving more sparkle. Heritage & Co.'s NOVELLA studs use a bezel setting — clean, contemporary, and practical for daily wear.
Metal
18K gold for lab diamonds. 14K gold for moissanite. Both are solid gold — no plating. White gold gives the classic diamond stud look. Yellow gold is having a moment in South Africa and looks exceptional with both lab diamonds and moissanite.
Lab Diamond Studs vs Moissanite Studs: Which Is Right for You?
| Feature | Lab Diamond | Moissanite |
|---|---|---|
| Hardness | 10 (hardest) | 9.25 |
| Sparkle | Classic white light | More fire & rainbow |
| Certification | IGI | GRA |
| Price | Higher | More affordable |
| Appearance | Identical to mined diamond | Passes all visual tests |
For studs worn daily, either option is excellent. The deciding factor is usually budget: moissanite gives you a noticeably larger stone for the same spend.
Heritage & Co. Stud Earrings
Every stud in the Heritage & Co. collection is crafted in solid gold — no plating — with IGI-certified lab diamonds or GRA-certified moissanite. Designed for the person who wants to wear their jewellery every day, not save it for special occasions.
NOVELLA POINT — 2 brilliant-round IGI lab diamonds in a bezel setting. Solid 14K white gold. The clean, contemporary stud that works from Monday morning to Saturday night.
NOVELLA ALBA POINT — the same design, same IGI diamonds, same solid gold — in white gold. The definition of understated excellence.
SOLARIS ALBA ÉTOILE — IGI-certified lab diamond studs with a star-shaped detail. For when you want your studs to do a little more.
Browse the full collection: Fine Jewellery Earrings → or WhatsApp: +27 82 818 9106
The Earring That Becomes Part of You
The best diamond studs are the ones you stop noticing — because you never take them out. They become part of your face. The kind of thing people notice only when they're gone. Find yours at Heritage & Co.
Shop diamond stud earrings at Heritage & Co.:
- Fine Jewellery Earrings — Studs, hoops & drops
- Lab Diamond vs Moissanite — Which stone is right for you?
- Lab Diamonds South Africa — IGI-certified, ethically grown
