A pair of 1 carat diamond studs is one of those gifts that never needs explaining. They suit almost everyone, they go with everything, and they get worn every day instead of waiting in a drawer for a special occasion. Lab-grown diamonds have made that classic far easier to give. This guide covers what "1 carat" really means on a pair of earrings, what a lab-grown diamond is and isn't, how to choose the metal colour, and how to make sure the gift arrives on time.
What "1 carat" means on a pair of studs
Jewellers describe stud earrings by total carat weight: the weight of both diamonds together. So "1 carat diamond studs" usually means two 0.50 ct diamonds, one in each ear. That is exactly how our 1 ct lab-grown diamond stud earrings are made: two 0.50 ct round brilliant diamonds, about 5 mm across each.
About 5 mm is the size most people picture when they think of "diamond studs". It is big enough to catch the light across a room and small enough for the office, the gym and sleeping in a quiet setting. If you are buying for someone who already wears small studs, a 0.50 ct stone in each ear will feel like a clear step up without looking out of place.
When you compare listings, check whether a carat figure is per earring or for the pair. A "1 carat" pair and a pair with 1 carat in each ear are very different sizes.
Lab-grown diamonds, explained honestly
A lab-grown diamond is a real diamond. It is pure carbon in the same crystal structure as a mined diamond, with the same hardness, brilliance and fire. The difference is where it formed: above ground, in a controlled process, rather than deep in the earth over millions of years.
Our studs use CVD lab-grown diamonds, grown by chemical vapour deposition and then brilliant cut and polished by hand in Surat, India's diamond-cutting centre. A few points worth knowing before you buy:
- They are not simulants. Moissanite and cubic zirconia are different materials that imitate diamond. A lab-grown diamond is diamond, and it passes a standard diamond tester.
- They should always be labelled. A lab-grown diamond looks identical to a mined one to the eye, so honest sellers say "lab-grown" clearly. We label every lab-grown diamond we sell, and we never describe one as natural.
- No mining is involved. Because the stones are grown, they are conflict-free by nature.
- Buy them to wear, not as an investment. Lab-grown diamonds are chosen for their beauty and value on the ear, not to hold or resell.
Colour and clarity: what to look for
For a pair of 5 mm studs, you want two stones that look bright white and clean to the eye, and that match each other. Our studs are graded F-G colour (near colourless) and VS clarity. That grading is our own; these stones do not come with an independent lab report, and we say so on the product page.
At this size, an F-G stone shows no visible tint against the skin, and VS inclusions cannot be seen without magnification. Spending more on higher grades makes little visible difference in a stud this size; the cut and the setting matter more for sparkle.
Why the setting matters
Each of our diamonds sits in a six-prong crown. Six prongs hold a stone more securely than four, and they trace a rounder outline around it, so the stud reads as a crisp circle of light. The crown lifts the diamond to let light in from the sides, which helps it sparkle. The earrings have push backs on sterling silver posts, and every back is stamped ROHO 925 D 0.50.
Choosing the metal colour
The studs are solid 925 sterling silver with a choice of three finishes:
- Yellow gold plated: warm and classic, and the natural choice if she mostly wears yellow gold.
- Rose gold plated: a soft, warm blush that flatters most skin tones.
- White rhodium: bright and icy, with the look of white gold or platinum; it lets the diamond look its whitest.
The simplest rule: match the metal she wears most. Look at her everyday ring, watch or chain. If you can't tell, white is the safest choice because it sits easily alongside both silver and gold. The plating is nickel-free, which helps for sensitive ears. If you'd like to know how plated silver wears over time, our guide Is Gold-Plated Sterling Silver Good? covers it in detail.
Who they suit as a gift
Diamond studs work for almost any milestone: a Christmas gift for a wife, partner, mother or daughter, a graduation, a 30th or 40th birthday, or a thank-you to a bridesmaid. Diamond is also the April birthstone, so they make an especially personal gift for an April birthday.
To make a matching set, add our 0.25 carat lab-grown diamond solitaire necklace. It sets a 4 mm round brilliant CVD lab-grown diamond in a three-prong pendant on a 16 inch chain, in the same three finishes, so you can match the studs exactly.
Looking for something else at a similar budget? Browse our gifts under CA$300 or the full earrings collection, which includes natural sapphire, ruby and emerald studs.
Shipping, gift wrap and returns
- Free shipping to Canada and the USA, fully tracked and insured.
- Ships the next business day from our studio in Toronto.
- Free gift wrap: every order arrives in a Roho jewellery box, beautifully wrapped, with a handwritten card. Add your message in the note box in your cart.
- 30-day returns and exchanges. Holiday orders placed from November 1 to December 31 can be returned or exchanged until January 31, so the size or colour can be changed after the holidays.
Caring for diamond studs
Diamond is the hardest gemstone, so the stones themselves stay bright for life. To protect the plating, put the studs on after lotion and perfume, take them off for swimming and showers, and wipe them with a soft cloth. Store them in their box so they don't rub against other jewellery.
Quick answers
Are lab-grown diamond studs real diamonds? Yes. They are diamond, not a simulant, and they are always labelled lab-grown.
How big is a 1 carat pair? Two 0.50 ct round brilliants, about 5 mm each.
Can I return them if the colour is wrong? Yes, within 30 days, or until January 31 for holiday orders placed November 1 to December 31.
Questions about choosing a pair? Write to us anytime by chat. We're happy to send more photos or a video in natural daylight. Designed in Toronto by Roho Jewels.
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