Buying a diamond, explained simply.
You do not need to become an expert to buy well. You need to know five things, and they take about five minutes. No jargon, no upsell, and every size drawn at its real width so you can see what you are buying.
How big is a carat, really?
Carat is a measure of weight, not width — and on earrings it is the weight of both stones together. This is the single most misread thing in jewelry. Here is every size we sell, drawn to scale.
One diamond at each weight. On a pair of studs, halve the carat figure to get the size of each stone.
Shown close to actual size.
Millimetres are the face-up width of one diamond, cut to standard round-brilliant proportions. A deeper cut of the same weight looks a little smaller from above; a shallower one, a little larger.
In the order they actually happen.
- 01Compare them →
Which kind of diamond?
Both are real diamonds and nobody can tell them apart by eye. Lab-grown costs 60–80% less, which buys a visibly bigger, cleaner stone. Natural carries rarity. Privosa stocks lab-grown.
- 02See the size chart →
How big will it actually look?
Carat is weight, not width — and on earrings it is the weight of BOTH stones together. A 1 ct pair of studs is 0.50 ct per ear, about 5.2 mm. See every size drawn true to scale first.
- 03See the colour scale →
How white, and how clean?
Colour runs D (icy white) to Z (warm). Clarity measures marks inside the stone. Past a point neither is visible to you — spend there only if you want it on the certificate.
- 04Compare metals →
Which gold?
14K is the everyday standard: rich colour, hard enough to resist scratches. White gold makes a diamond look whiter; yellow gold is warm and never needs re-plating.
- 05See the shapes →
How is it cut and held?
Round brilliant returns the most light and never dates. The setting is the metal that holds it — claws lift the stone into the light, a bezel wraps and protects it.
Every measure, in plain words.
How big is a 1 carat diamond, really?
A 1 carat round diamond measures about 6.
ColourWhat does diamond colour actually mean?
Diamond colour grades how little colour a diamond has, on a scale from D (completely colourless and rarest) to Z (noticeably yellow).
ClarityWhat is diamond clarity, and how much does it matter?
Clarity grades the tiny natural marks inside a diamond, from Flawless (FL) down to Included (I3).
ShapeWhich diamond shape should I choose?
Round brilliant is the safest and most brilliant choice — its 57 facets are engineered to return more light than any other shape, and it never dates.
SettingWhat is a diamond setting, and which one should I pick?
The setting is the metalwork that holds the diamond.
MetalWhat does 14K gold mean, and how is it different from 18K?
The karat number is how many parts in 24 are pure gold: 14K is 58.
The honest questionAre lab-grown diamonds real diamonds?
Yes.
About Privosa.
Does Privosa sell natural or lab-grown diamonds?
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Every diamond Privosa currently stocks is lab-grown — a real diamond, identical in every physical respect to a mined one, at 60–80% less. Selected pieces are IGI certified.
Is Privosa jewelry solid gold?
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Yes. Every piece is solid 14K gold throughout — never plated, never gold-filled. The karat is stamped on the piece.
How much does Privosa jewelry cost?
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From about $249 for everyday diamond studs to around $1,800 for a 3 carat IGI-certified solitaire engagement ring. Most pieces fall between $300 and $900.
Does Privosa ship free?
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Yes. Every US order ships free, fully insured and with signature required, within 1–2 business days.
What is Privosa's return policy?
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30 days, in original condition, with free return shipping.
Where is Privosa based?
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Houston, Texas. Orders ship from US fulfilment centres and Privosa currently sells within the United States only.
“We publish the specification of every stone. What you read is what you receive.”
Last reviewed August 2026