The one pairyou'll wear forever.Chosen the right way.
Diamond studs are the jewellery you reach for every day — so they're worth getting right. The trick is understanding how earrings are sized (it's not what most people assume), what to prioritise, and which setting suits you. Here's everything, simply.
The one thing to know: total carat weight.
This trips up almost everyone. Diamond studs are sold by total carat weight — the two diamonds added together, written as CTTW (carat total weight). So a pair of "1 carat diamond studs" is usually two 0.50 carat diamonds, one in each ear — not two 1 carat stones.
It matters because the size on your ear is set by each individual stone, not the total. A 1 CTTW pair shows a 0.50 ct diamond in each ear; a 2 CTTW pair shows a full 1 ct in each. Once you know this, choosing a size becomes simple.
"1 carat studs" almost always means half a carat in each ear. Size by the single stone, buy by the total.
The chart below translates every total weight into what each ear actually shows, in millimetres.
Not quite like choosing a ring.
Two diamonds must be selected to match in colour, clarity, cut and weight — so the pair looks symmetrical. Matching is as important as the grades themselves.
Studs are viewed from a metre away, not up close like a ring under a light. That makes colour and clarity far more forgiving — small inclusions simply aren't visible.
With no finger or hand nearby for scale, sparkle is what people notice. A well-cut stone catches the light with every turn of your head — so cut earns its place first.
An earring can be lost in a way a ring can't. The back — screw or push — is a real decision, especially as the diamonds get larger.
What each size looks like on the ear.
Shown for round diamonds — the most popular stud shape. The scale below is a single stone (what one ear shows); the chart lists the total pair weight beside it.
| Total Weight (CTTW) | Each Diamond | Size Each (mm) | The Look |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.20 CTTW | 0.10 ct | ~3.0 mm | Petite, delicate — subtle everyday sparkle |
| 0.50 CTTW | 0.25 ct | ~4.1 mm | Understated and elegant — a refined everyday stud |
| 1.00 CTTW | 0.50 ct | ~5.2 mm | The most popular size — balanced, noticeable, versatile |
| 1.50 CTTW | 0.75 ct | ~5.9 mm | Confident presence without being showy |
| 2.00 CTTW | 1.00 ct | ~6.5 mm | A full carat per ear — clear, impressive sparkle |
| 3.00 CTTW | 1.50 ct | ~7.4 mm | Luxurious and eye-catching |
| 4.00 CTTW | 2.00 ct | ~8.2 mm | Bold statement brilliance |
How the diamond is held and secured.
The setting shapes the look; the back keeps the earring safe. Here are the choices and what each is best for.
Four slim prongs hold the diamond with plenty of light reaching it from every side. The timeless choice — maximum brilliance and a look that never dates.
Three prongs in a martini-glass shape sit low and close to the ear for a sleek, modern profile that uses a little less metal while still showing the stone beautifully.
A rim of metal wraps the diamond's edge completely — the most protective setting, with a clean contemporary look and no prongs to snag. Ideal for active lifestyles.
What to prioritise, in order.
Studs let you spend smartly, because distance hides what a ring reveals up close. Here's the order that gives the best-looking pair for your budget.
With nothing nearby for scale, sparkle is what people see. Prioritise an Excellent or Ideal cut — it does more for the look of a stud than any other factor.
Choose the total weight that suits your style, remembering it splits across two ears. Lab grown value lets you go a size larger for the same spend.
A near-colourless diamond looks perfectly white on the ear. There's no need to chase the very top colour grades — the difference isn't visible at wearing distance.
Because studs are seen from a distance, an eye-clean VS stone looks flawless. Clarity is the easiest place to be sensible without any visible compromise.
Want the full detail on grading? See our 4Cs guide. Our studs are cut for brilliance, graded E–F colour and VVS–VS clarity, and IGI certified from 0.50 CTTW (SGL at 0.20).
Studs come in every shape.
Round is the classic and most brilliant, but studs suit any shape — an oval or pear for a soft, distinctive look, a princess or emerald for something modern and geometric, or a heart for romance. The same sizing logic applies: total weight splits across the pair.
Not sure which shape? Our shape comparison weighs them side by side, and each shape's size chart shows exact dimensions.
Stud questions, answered.
The questions we hear most about choosing diamond studs. If yours isn't here, just ask.
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Every pair is matched, IGI certified, and set in BIS hallmarked 18K gold, made to order in the size, shape and setting you choose. Not sure on size? Tell us your style and we'll guide you.