These are nice earrings with gold plated studs, so are hypoallergenic for those of you like me who are allergic to other metals. 8mm is about the size of a 1 carat diamond, and people compliment me on how nice my "diamond" stud looks. I don't tell them that it's a cubic zerconia that only cost $19 for the pair. I only wear one in my left ear, and have the other for a spare if I should lose the first one.