Here's the thing nobody tells you: people don't see carats, they see millimeters. Carat is weight. What catches the light across a room is how wide the stone is face-up.
First, the TCW trap
Studs are sold by total carat weight (TCW), which is both earrings added together. A "1 carat" pair is two half-carat stones. Always divide by two to know what's on each ear.
The cheat sheet (round brilliant, per stone)
| Per stone | Pair (TCW) | Width | The look |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.10 ct | 0.20 TCW | about 3.0 mm | A tiny spark. Great for second piercings. |
| 0.25 ct | 0.50 TCW | about 4.1 mm | Classic everyday. Noticed, never loud. |
| 0.50 ct | 1.00 TCW | about 5.1 mm | Our most popular. Clearly a diamond from across the room. |
| 0.75 ct | 1.50 TCW | about 5.8 mm | Confident. The jump people say they wish they'd made. |
| 1.00 ct | 2.00 TCW | about 6.5 mm | Statement studs. |
| 1.50 ct | 3.00 TCW | about 7.4 mm | Red carpet. |
Three quick rules
- Small lobes: 4–5 mm looks balanced. Above 6.5 mm can overpower.
- Everyday wear: most people land between 1.00 and 1.50 TCW.
- Fancy shapes look bigger. An oval of the same weight reads larger than a round because it's longer.
Don't guess, try
Use our virtual try-on to see every size on your own ears with your camera. And remember, if you go smaller now, our upgrade program lets you trade up later for the price difference plus $50.