2.00 CT Total Weight Lab Grown Studs (1.0CT Each Ear) 14KT White Gold IGI Certified
2 carat lab grown studs in 14kt white gold: a matched pair of round brilliant lab-grown diamonds, 1.00 carat in each ear, E color and VS2 clarity with cut, polish and symmetry recorded as Excellent. Each diamond carries an IGI grading report. Set in four-prong baskets with secure screw-style backs. The classic everyday stud size. See them at our Boca Raton showroom.
PRODUCT DETAILS
- Designed By:
- David Stern Jewelers
- Sub Category:
- Earrings, Studs
- Sku Number:
- 4prong-lab-E/VS2-2CT
STONE DETAILS
- Center Stone:
- Round Diamond
- Total Carat Weight:
- 2.00CT TW
METAL DETAILS
- Metal Type:
- 14kt White Gold
- Gold Content:
- 58.3% pure
CERTIFICATION
- Appraised By:
- David Stern, G.I.A. Gemologist
- Appraisal Included:
- Yes, complimentary
Free Jewelry Appraisal with $2500 Purchase
David Stern Jewelers guarantees every piece of jewelry we sell, which is why we include a free jewelry appraisal with every item purchased.
DESCRIPTION
These 2 carat lab grown studs hold a matched pair of round brilliant lab-grown diamonds, 1.00 carat in each ear, in 14kt white gold four-prong baskets. Both diamonds are graded E color and VS2 clarity with cut, polish and symmetry recorded as Excellent, and both carry an IGI grading report. Below is everything you need to judge the pair before you see them in our Boca Raton showroom.
2 carat lab grown studs at a glance
Here are the specifications of these 2 carat lab grown studs, exactly as recorded for this pair. Total diamond weight is 2.00 carats, made up of two round brilliant lab-grown diamonds of 1.00 carat each.
Color is E, one step below the top of the scale and firmly in the colorless range. Clarity is VS2, which means very small inclusions that are visible only under 10x magnification. Cut, polish and symmetry are all recorded as Excellent, the combination the trade calls Triple Excellent.
The metal is 14kt white gold, and each diamond sits in a four-prong basket setting with screw-style backs. Both diamonds are laboratory-grown, and both carry an IGI grading report.
In short, these are bright, well-matched 2 carat lab grown studs, the classic one-carat-per-ear size, built to be worn every day rather than kept in a drawer.
What lab grown diamonds are
A lab grown diamond is a real diamond. It is pure carbon arranged in the same crystal structure as a mined diamond, with the same hardness, the same refractive index and the same fire. The difference is only where it formed: in a laboratory over a few weeks, rather than deep in the earth over millions of years.
That is why a jeweler cannot tell lab grown diamonds from mined ones with a loupe. Identifying a lab grown diamond takes specialized laboratory equipment. The International Gem Society has a clear explanation of how lab-created diamonds are grown and how they compare with mined stones.
We say lab grown plainly and on purpose. Federal guidance requires a laboratory-grown diamond to be described that way, and we would rather you know exactly what you are buying than discover it later.
IGI grading reports
These studs are IGI certified: each lab-grown diamond comes with a grading report from the International Gemological Institute, one of the largest independent gem laboratories in the world and the most widely used lab for lab grown stones. The report records the carat weight, color, clarity, cut, polish, symmetry and measurements of each diamond, and it identifies the diamond as laboratory-grown. The reports are therefore easy to verify: you can check any report number on the IGI website.
Why choose 1 carat lab grown diamond earrings
One carat per ear is the size most people picture when they think of diamond studs. A well-cut 1.00 carat round brilliant measures roughly 6.5 millimeters across, large enough to catch the light from across a table and small enough to sit neatly on any earlobe.
A common point of confusion: when people search for 1 carat lab grown diamond earrings, some mean one carat in total and some mean one carat in each ear. This pair is the second kind. Each earring holds a 1.00 carat diamond, so the pair adds up to 2.00 carats total weight.
That difference matters on the ear. A half-carat round is only about 5 millimeters across, so 1 carat lab grown diamond earrings measured per ear look noticeably fuller than a pair that totals one carat.
For most people, 1 carat lab grown diamond earrings are the point where a pair of studs feels like fine jewelry rather than an accessory, while staying understated enough for the office, the gym bag or a T-shirt.
Classic lab grown diamond studs
These 2 carat lab grown studs are classic lab grown diamond studs in the truest sense. At one carat each, they are the size you can put in on Monday and forget about until Friday.
Classic lab grown diamond studs need three things: a secure setting, a comfortable size and a metal that suits your other jewelry. Four prongs and screw-style backs take care of the first, one carat per ear the second, and bright white gold the third.
They also make one of the easiest gifts to get right. Classic lab grown diamond studs suit almost every age and style, and they rarely need to be exchanged.
If you are unsure which size suits you, the best test is simple: try several on. This collection comes in 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 carat per-ear sizes, and comparing them side by side in a mirror settles the question quickly. Our guide to diamond carat weight explains how weight translates into visible size.
White gold four prong studs: why the metal matters
White gold four prong studs are the classic choice, and there is a good reason for it. White metal frames a colorless diamond without adding any warmth, so an E color stone faces up icy white.
The prongs are the only metal you see from the front, and in white gold they almost disappear against the diamond. That makes a one-carat stone look as large as possible.
14kt white gold is also the practical choice for earrings you intend to wear daily. It is 58.3 percent pure gold, alloyed with other metals for strength, so the prongs and posts hold their shape far better than softer, higher-karat gold would.
White gold is usually plated with rhodium for a bright white finish. Over years of wear the plating can soften, and we can re-plate white gold four prong studs in store to restore the finish.
If you already wear white gold, platinum or silver, these studs will match your rings, chains and watch.
How four prongs hold the stone
Four-prong studs are the most popular stud setting for a reason. Four slim prongs hold the diamond at its girdle, one at each corner, and leave almost the entire stone open to light.
The result is that four-prong studs look as large as possible for their weight and return as much light as possible. Less metal means more sparkle, and the square arrangement of the four prongs gives the round diamond a clean, symmetrical frame when you look straight on.
The basket beneath each diamond lifts it slightly away from the earlobe, so light can enter from the sides as well as the top. As the side photo shows, the pair is fitted with screw-style backs, which thread onto the post and are the most secure choice for a diamond of this size.
Some people prefer a six-prong setting for extra security. For four-prong studs of this quality, we check the prongs as part of every cleaning, and a set of four well-made prongs is more than strong enough for everyday wear.
E VS2 lab grown studs: color and clarity, explained
Diamond color is graded on a scale from D, completely colorless, to Z, with a light yellow tint. E is the second-highest grade, and to the naked eye an E color diamond is indistinguishable from a D. Our guide to diamond color shows the full scale.
Clarity describes the tiny internal features, called inclusions, that almost every diamond has. VS2 stands for very slightly included. The inclusions in a VS2 diamond are hard to find even under 10x magnification and are not visible to the eye at normal viewing distances.
Together, E color and VS2 clarity sit in the sweet spot many buyers look for, which is why E VS2 lab grown studs are so popular: the diamonds face up icy white and eye-clean, without paying for the flawless grades that you would never see on the ear.
For a broader overview of how color, clarity, cut and carat work together, see our guide to the diamond 4Cs, or the Gemological Institute of America introduction to diamond quality.
Triple Excellent cut, polish and symmetry
Of the four Cs, cut has the largest effect on sparkle. A well-cut round brilliant has 57 or 58 facets angled to send light back up through the top of the stone, which is where the brilliance and fire come from.
Both diamonds in this pair are graded Excellent for cut, Excellent for polish and Excellent for symmetry. Polish describes the smoothness of the facet surfaces; symmetry describes how precisely the facets line up with one another. Excellent on all three is the highest result possible.
On studs, cut quality shows up in a very practical way. Studs are seen at a distance and from every angle as you move, so a diamond that throws light well looks brighter and larger than a poorly cut diamond of the same weight. Our page on diamond cut goes into the grades in more detail.
Why a matched pair matters
Diamond studs are always seen as a pair, so the two stones have to agree with each other. A difference in color, size or cut that would go unnoticed in a single diamond becomes obvious when two stones sit a few inches apart.
These 2 carat lab grown studs were matched for exactly that reason. Both diamonds are the same weight, the same color grade, the same clarity grade and the same Triple Excellent cut, so they look the same on each ear.
Matching is one of the quiet advantages of lab grown diamonds. Because the stones are grown under controlled conditions, it is easier to find two diamonds with identical grades, and a well-matched pair of this size is far more attainable than it would be in mined diamonds.
How to wear 2 carat lab grown studs
2 carat lab grown studs work with almost everything you own. With a T-shirt and jeans they add a quiet flash of light; with a blazer or a dress they look polished and finished.
Because they are one carat each, 2 carat lab grown studs pair easily with other jewelry. Add a slim white gold chain, a steel watch or a stack of thin white gold rings, and the studs tie the look together.
They are also a natural first pair of fine diamond earrings. Many people buy 2 carat lab grown studs as a graduation, birthday or anniversary gift, then trade up to a larger size later.
The value of lab grown diamond earrings
The main reason people choose lab grown diamonds is value. A lab grown diamond typically costs a fraction of a mined diamond with the same grades. That means 2 carat lab grown studs with two 1.00 carat E VS2 lab-grown diamonds cost about what a much smaller mined pair would.
We want to be honest about the other side of that. Lab grown diamond prices have fallen as production has grown, and lab grown diamonds do not hold resale value the way mined diamonds historically have. Buy these because you will love wearing them, not as an investment.
Seen that way, 2 carat lab grown studs with lab-grown diamonds are one of the most sensible fine jewelry purchases there is: a beautiful, durable pair of diamonds you can wear every day, at a price that does not make you nervous about wearing them.
Seeing these 2 carat lab grown studs in Boca Raton
Photographs are a good start, but diamonds are best judged in daylight, on your own ear, next to other sizes. You are welcome to see these 2 carat lab grown studs at our Boca Raton showroom and ask to compare them with other sizes from the same collection.
When you visit, we will show you the IGI report for each diamond, let you look at the stones under a loupe, and help you choose the size that suits you. We are open Monday to Friday, 9:30 to 5:30, and Saturday, 10:30 to 4:30. Directions and parking are on our Visit Us page.
David Stern Jewelers has served Boca Raton for over 40 years. Our jewelers and gemologists work in the store, so the person who shows you the diamonds can also answer detailed questions about how they were graded.
Caring for your diamond studs
Diamond is the hardest natural material, but it attracts oil. Lotion, hairspray and the natural oils of the skin build up on the back of the stone and dull its sparkle long before anything else goes wrong.
To keep 2 carat lab grown studs bright, soak the earrings in warm water with a drop of mild dish soap, brush gently behind the diamond with a soft toothbrush, rinse, and pat dry. Our jewelry care guide has more detail.
Every few months, check that each backing still threads on firmly and that no prong has been snagged on a sweater or towel. You are welcome to bring your 2 carat lab grown studs into our store for a professional cleaning and a prong check, which takes only a few minutes.
Store each earring separately, in a soft pouch or a lined box compartment. Diamonds can scratch other diamonds and gold, so studs should not be tossed loose into a drawer.
Insuring your diamond studs
A pair of 2 carat lab grown studs is worth insuring. Most homeowners and renters policies cap jewelry coverage at a low amount unless each piece is scheduled separately, and scheduling usually requires a written appraisal.
The IGI reports describe the diamonds, but they do not state a value. An insurance appraisal does. We offer jewelry appraisals in store, and an appraisal describes the diamonds, the gold and the setting in the detail an insurer needs.
More diamond earrings from David Stern Jewelers
The same four-prong design comes in 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 carat per-ear sizes, in both 14kt white gold and 14kt yellow gold. This exact pair is also available as 2 carat yellow gold studs. For larger white gold pairs, see the 6 carat lab grown studs or the 8 carat lab grown studs.
You can browse all our diamond studs, or the full range of earrings, including drops, hoops and gemstone designs.
Questions about these 2 carat lab grown studs
Are these 2 carat lab grown studs real diamonds?
Yes. Lab grown diamonds are real diamonds, with the same chemistry, crystal structure, hardness and sparkle as mined diamonds. They are grown in a laboratory rather than mined, and each diamond in this pair is identified as laboratory-grown on its IGI report.
Is the 2 carats the total for both earrings?
Yes. The pair totals 2.00 carats, which is 1.00 carat in each earring. When you compare prices online, check whether a listing gives the weight per ear or the total weight, because they are easy to confuse.
What does IGI certified mean?
It means each diamond has been graded by the International Gemological Institute, an independent laboratory. The IGI report records the diamond's weight, color, clarity, cut, polish, symmetry and measurements, and confirms that it is laboratory-grown. You can look up the report number on the IGI website.
How big is a 1 carat diamond stud on the ear?
A well-cut 1.00 carat round brilliant is roughly 6.5 millimeters across. On most earlobes it reads as a classic, noticeable stud that is easy to wear every day. The best way to judge is to try on several sizes, which you can do in our showroom.
What kind of backs do these earrings have?
The side photograph shows screw-style backs, which thread onto the post and are the most secure option for diamonds of this size. If you would prefer a different backing, ask us when you visit.
Why choose white gold for diamond studs?
White gold frames a colorless diamond without adding warmth, so E color stones face up bright white and the prongs almost disappear against the diamond.
Are 4 prong settings secure enough for everyday wear?
Yes. Four well-made prongs hold a round diamond firmly and let in the most light. We recommend a quick prong check every few months, especially after a snag on clothing, and we are happy to check them for you in store.
Do lab grown diamonds hold their value?
Not in the way mined diamonds historically have. Lab grown prices have fallen as production has increased, and resale value is limited. We recommend buying lab grown diamonds for their beauty and value today, not as an investment.
Can I see these earrings before I buy them?
Yes. The pair is in our Boca Raton showroom, and you can compare it with our other stud sizes in white and yellow gold. We are open Monday to Friday, 9:30 to 5:30, and Saturday, 10:30 to 4:30.
How do I clean my diamond studs at home?
Soak them in warm water with a drop of mild dish soap, brush gently behind each diamond with a soft toothbrush, rinse and pat dry. Avoid harsh chemicals and chlorine, which can weaken gold over time.
What are the diamond grades?
Both lab-grown diamonds are E color and VS2 clarity, with cut, polish and symmetry recorded as Excellent. The IGI report for each stone lists its exact grades and measurements.
What other sizes are in this collection?
The same four-prong design comes in 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 carat per-ear sizes, in 14kt white gold and 14kt yellow gold, so you can compare this pair with larger studs in our showroom.
