Diamond Studs – How to Choose the Best Carat Weight for You
Nothing elevates your look like a pair of scintillating diamond stud earrings. Endlessly versatile, these wardrobe staples go with anything, especially when you choose the right carat weight. But is carat weight really all that important? Let’s compare 1 vs. 2 carat diamond stud earrings to better understand the benefits and potential limitations of larger carat weights.
Understanding Carat Weight
While many believe that diamond carat refers to the size of a diamond, the term is actually one of weight measurement. That said, carat does have a significant impact on the actual size of a diamond gemstone. In general, the more a diamond weighs, the larger it tends to be.
Understanding CTW
When shopping for a diamond, it’s important to understand certain terminology which gives insight into the actual diamond. One important term is CTW, which stands for carat total weight.
Most diamond studs will be labeled with a CTW value. If you don’t understand what this value means, you may end up inadvertently buying stud earrings in the wrong size.
Because CTW is an abbreviation for “carat total weight,” it represents the combined carat weight of both diamond studs. So, if a pair of studs have a CTW of 1, that doesn’t mean each earring is made with a 1-carat diamond. On the contrary, it means the diamonds on each stud earring are actually only a half-carat each. Bear this in mind when shopping, so you won’t end up disappointed with your purchase.
The Trend Toward Bigger
Whatever you’ve heard, there’s simply no doubt that size matters when it comes to diamond stud earrings. Larger diamonds glitter with eye-catching fire. They inspire interest and attract attention while adding glamor and sophistication to any look.
These days, you’d have a hard time finding a modern fashionista who would prefer a smaller diamond over a larger, higher-carat gem. At the same time, lab-grown diamonds have also fueled the growing trend toward larger gemstones.
Created in dedicated facilities using highly advanced technology, these stunning stones are identical to natural diamonds both physically and optically. They also give people the ability to buy larger diamonds for the same price as smaller natural gemstones.
But while it’s definitely important, size isn’t everything. For a truly stunning pair of diamond stud earrings, cut, clarity and color are also important considerations.
Is Bigger Always Better?
Obviously, carat weight will have a major impact on the beauty and cost of your diamond studs. While beautiful, a 1-carat gemstone won’t command attention like a 2-carat diamond. When cut by a skilled jeweler, larger diamonds dazzle the eye and elevate any ensemble.
That said, when you select a larger gemstone, you want to make sure it has good clarity and color since blemishes will usually be more visible. This is because larger diamonds have bigger surface tables that are much more visible to the naked eye.
With any diamond, the 4 Cs of diamond quality — cut, color, clarity and carat weight — all work to determine clarity, beauty and value.
Cut
This describes the polish, finish and proportion of the diamond. A highly skilled cutter uses precise artistry to fashion a gemstone, so it delivers optimal visual effects, including brightness (external and internal reflected light), fire (the scattering of white light), and scintillation (the gemstones sparkle and the pattern of dark and light areas produced by countless reflections within the stone).
Clarity
This refers to the clearness and purity of a diamond. Grades are assigned to every stone, with "I" describing diamonds with tiny inclusions and "F" describing diamonds with flawless clarity. Most diamond gemstones will have various grades that range from I to F. Inclusions are more visible in larger diamonds with broader surface tables.
Color
From yellow to white, diamonds receive a grade for how much color they contain. Diamonds graded in the J, K, and L range generally offer the best value for a customer’s dollar. Diamond buyers generally prefer colorless to near-colorless diamond gemstones.
When considering diamond stud earrings, many buyers focus heavily on carat, and it’s easy to see why. At the same time, cut, clarity and color combine to determine the overall beauty of any gemstone.
If you're looking for a beautifully cut pair of stunning diamond stud earrings, John Atencio is the only name you need to know. And when you pair them with one of John’s beautifully crafted diamond pendants, women's bracelets or designer rings, it results in a stunning artistic expression of luxury and beauty unlike anything else.
