Lab-grown diamond studs under $500

Small enough for every day and every age, and the lowest price at which you are buying solid gold and real diamond rather than plated silver.

Look for

• 0.25 ct total weight: two stones of about 1/8 ct each
• Solid 14K gold, stamped 14K or 585
• A bezel (a rim of gold round the stone) or four prongs
• IGI named on the listing, or at least the colour and clarity

MAX + STONE IGI lab diamond studs, 1/4 ct total, 14K yellow goldListing: IGI certified, four prongs, 14K gold.about $95on Amazon → Amazon Essentials bezel-set lab diamond studs, 0.25 ct total, 14K white goldListing: lab-grown diamond, E to F colour, VS1 to VS2, solid 14K white gold stamped 585. A bezel holds the stone in a full rim, with no prongs to catch.about $190on Amazon →

At half a carat total the stones are big enough to be seen across a table, and the price still sits well under $500 in solid gold.

Look for

• 0.5 ct total: about 1/4 ct, or roughly 4 mm, per ear
• Round for the most sparkle, princess (square) for a modern look
• Screw backs, or push backs with a firm grip

Amazon Essentials IGI lab diamond studs, 0.5 ct total, 14K white goldListing: IGI certified, G to H colour, VS1 to VS2, four prongs, 14K gold. The same listing sells 0.25 to 1 ct; check the price of the size you pick.about $220on Amazon → Belacqua IGI princess-cut lab diamond studs, 0.5 ct total, 14K white goldListing: IGI certified, E to F colour, VS clarity, 3.5 mm square stones, prong set, screw backs, 14K white gold.about $230on Amazon →

Two half-carat stones look like serious diamond studs. Mined studs this size cost far more, which is the whole case for lab-grown.

Look for

• “1 ctw” or “1 cttw”: half a carat, about 5 mm, per ear
• If a title says only “1 ct”, ask whether that is each stone or the pair
• Colour and clarity stated (E to F and VS are common at this price)
• Screw backs for stones this size

Belacqua lab diamond studs, 1 ct total, 14K white goldListing: 1 cttw round, F colour, VS clarity, four prongs, push backs, 14K white gold, gift box.about $300on Amazon → Privosa lab diamond martini studs, 1 ct, 14K yellow goldListing: D to E colour, VVS1 to VVS2, three-prong martini setting, screw backs, 14K yellow gold, made in the USA. The title says “1 Ct”; confirm whether that is the pair.about $350on Amazon →

Houston Diamond District’s 2 and 4 carat studs are on our main lab diamond earrings guide; these two are its 1 carat pairs, which still fit under $500.

Look for

• IGI in the title, with the report numbers sent with the studs
• The stone weight in the specification table
• Push backs or screw backs: the listing lets you choose on some styles

Houston Diamond District IGI lab diamond studs, 1.01 ct, 14K white goldListing: IGI certified, E to F colour, VS2 to SI1, four prongs, push backs, 14K white gold; the specification table gives 1.01 carats.about $330on Amazon → Houston Diamond District IGI lab diamond studs, 1 ct, 14K yellow goldListing: IGI certified, E to F colour, VS2 to SI1, four prongs, push backs, 14K yellow gold; the specification table gives 1.00 carats.about $340on Amazon →

Inside-out hoops set stones on the front and the inside of the hoop, so they sparkle from the side and the front. Small stones also keep the price down for the total weight.

Look for

• Total weight of all the small stones
• A hinged closure
• Solid 14K gold

Shop QSE inside-out lab diamond hoops, 0.5 ct, 18.5 mm, 14K yellow goldListing: E to F colour, VS1 to VS2, hinged hoop, 14K yellow gold.about $410on Amazon →