What Does CTW Mean on Diamond Earrings?
By the NYC Diamond District team, 47th Street, New York · Last updated October 2026
“1 ctw,” “2 CT TW,” “1/2 ct. t.w.” Jewelry listings love this abbreviation, and it causes more confusion than anything else in diamond shopping. Here's exactly what it means and why it matters for your budget.
Quick answer: CTW stands for carat total weight: the combined weight of every diamond in a piece of jewelry. For stud earrings, it's the weight of both earrings together. A 1 ctw pair has two diamonds of about 0.50 carat each, not two 1-carat diamonds.
What ctw means on diamond earrings
On a pair of studs, divide the ctw by two to get the size of each diamond.
| Listed as | Each earring | Approx. diameter per stud (round) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 ctw | 0.50 ct | 5.2 mm |
| 2 ctw | 1.00 ct | 6.5 mm |
| 3 ctw | 1.50 ct | 7.4 mm |
| 4 ctw | 2.00 ct | 8.1 mm |
| 5 ctw | 2.50 ct | 8.8 mm |
See every size from 0.5 to 10 ctw in our diamond stud size guide.
CTW, CT TW, TW and carat weight: what's the difference?
- CTW, CT TW, T.W. and TCW all mean the same thing: the total weight of all diamonds in the piece.
- Carat weight (ct) on its own usually refers to a single diamond, such as the center stone of a ring.
- Fractions like “1/2 ctw” or “3/4 ctw” are the same measure written differently: 1/2 ctw is 0.50 carat total.
A carat is a unit of weight, not size: one carat equals 0.2 grams.
Why ctw matters for price
Two half-carat diamonds usually cost less than one 1-carat diamond. Larger natural diamonds are rarer, so the price per carat rises as stones get bigger. That means a 2 ctw pair of studs (two 1-carat stones) costs more than double a 1 ctw pair. When you compare listings, always check whether the weight is total or per stone, so you're comparing like with like.
Lab-grown diamonds flatten that curve. Their price per carat stays far more even as size goes up, which is why lab-grown studs make larger sizes realistic. More in lab-grown vs. natural diamonds.
How to read a stud listing
- Find the weight and the unit. “2 ctw” means 1 carat per ear. “2 ct each” would mean 4 ctw total.
- Check color and clarity. Studs face outward, so they show. E–F color and VVS clarity look bright and clean from every angle.
- Check the shape. Round diamonds look slightly larger face-up than many fancy shapes at the same weight.
- Check the certification. A grading report confirms the weight, color, clarity and origin.
Every Crème de la Crème pair is listed by total weight, from 1 to 10 ctw, with the per-stud weight shown on each product page. All are lab-grown, E–F color, VVS clarity, in 14K white, yellow or rose gold. Shop the collection.
Frequently asked questions
What does ctw mean in jewelry?
CTW means carat total weight: the combined weight of all the diamonds in a piece of jewelry.
Is 1 ctw one carat per earring?
No. A 1 ctw pair of earrings has about 0.50 carat in each earring.
What does 2 ct tw mean?
2 ct tw means 2 carats total weight. On stud earrings, that's about 1 carat per earring.
Is ctw the same as carat weight?
Not exactly. Carat weight usually describes one diamond; carat total weight adds up every diamond in the piece.
How many grams is a carat?
One carat equals 0.2 grams.
Why are two half-carat diamonds cheaper than one 1-carat diamond?
Larger diamonds are rarer, so the price per carat increases with size. Two smaller stones with the same total weight usually cost less than one larger stone.