If you're looking for stylish yet subtle jewelry, diamonds might be the way to go. Diamonds are timeless and versatile, meaning they can take any outfit from ordinary to extraordinary.

But if you don't want your diamond jewelry to be too flashy, there are certain styles and settings to look out for. Here's a guide on how to choose subtly stylish diamond jewelry.

The Four Cs of Diamonds

No matter what type of diamond setting you choose, it's important to consider the four Cs — cut, clarity, carat weight, and color — which determine the quality of a diamond. The cut is the most important of the four Cs and determines the diamond's sparkle. A higher cut grade means more light will be reflected off its surface, making it appear brighter and more brilliant.

Clarity refers to the clarity of the diamond. A higher clarity grade means fewer blemishes or inclusions, which makes the diamond look clearer. The carat weight of a diamond is its size and determines how much it weighs. Lastly, diamonds come in different colors, ranging from clear to yellow and brown.

You don't have to go all out on each category. In fact, going for slightly lower-grade diamonds may help keep your jewelry looking subtle rather than ostentatious. For example, diamonds with an I or J color grade will appear nearly colorless but still offer plenty of sparkle without being overly showy. They'll also be much more affordable than their colorless counterparts.

Diamond Setting Styles

When choosing a setting for your diamond jewelry piece, it's worth considering more subtle options such as solitaire settings or bezel settings. Solitaire settings feature a single center stone mounted in a prong setting or other mountings that hold the stone in place while allowing maximum light reflection and sparkle.

Bezel settings feature metal that wraps around the stone's circumference and is typically used when creating rings or pendants. Bezel settings can also provide extra protection against scratches and other damage compared with other types of mountings like prong settings.

In addition to these two common styles, there are also some more unique options, such as pavé-style rings which use small diamonds set closely together, so they appear continuous around the band.

Another option is cluster rings which feature several small stones grouped together in one setting, which creates the illusion of one large center diamond. All of these options are great choices if you want something special without being too over-the-top or flashy.

Whether you're looking for an engagement ring or just a beautiful everyday piece of jewelry, diamonds can add just enough flair without going overboard on the bling factor.

But before buying any diamond jewelry piece, make sure you understand what goes into determining its quality by familiarizing yourself with the Four Cs — cut, clarity, carat weight, and color — and knowing what type of setting style suits your needs best. This will help ensure you end up with something timeless yet subtly stylish that will last for years.