Transparency You Deserve to Know

01 - Who We Are

About Carat Theory

Carat Theory is a Canadian direct-to-consumer fine jewelry brand based in Calgary, Alberta. We specialize in IGI-certified lab-grown diamonds set in solid 14K gold. Our website is carattheory.com.

This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and protect your personal information across all channels, including our website, email, and social media.

We comply with the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA), the Alberta Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA), and Canada’s Anti-Spam Legislation (CASL).

02 - What We Collect

Information You Provide

• Email address, when you join our early access list or email us.
• Name, if provided alongside your email subscription.
• Purchase and account information, once our store launches, including name, billing/shipping address, phone number, and payment details processed securely by Shopify Payments.
• Communications, including messages, feedback, or questions you send us.

Information Collected Automatically

• Browser type, device type, and operating system.
• Pages visited, time spent, and referring URLs.
• Approximate geographic location at city or country level.
• Cookie identifiers and analytics data.

03 - How We Use Your Information

Purposes of Collection

• To add you to our early access email list and send launch updates and promotions with CASL-compliant consent.
• To process and fulfill orders placed through our Shopify store.
• To provide customer support and respond to inquiries.
• To improve our website and communications based on aggregate analytics.
• To detect and prevent fraud or unauthorized activity.
• To comply with legal obligations under applicable Canadian law.

04 - CASL & Email Marketing

Canada’s Anti-Spam Legislation

Every marketing email includes a clear sender identification, our Calgary, Alberta mailing address, and a working unsubscribe link. Unsubscribe requests are processed within 10 business days as required by CASL.

Your consent matters. By submitting your email address, you provide express consent under CASL to receive commercial electronic messages from Carat Theory, including launch announcements, promotional offers, and brand updates. You may withdraw consent at any time.

05 - Third-Party Processors

Who Handles Your Data On Our Behalf

• Klaviyo, for email marketing and CRM platform services, including subscription preferences.
• Shopify, for ecommerce order processing and customer accounts.
• Google Analytics, for aggregate traffic analysis via cookies.
• Google Ads, for advertising, remarketing and conversion measurement via cookies.
• Meta and Pinterest, for advertising platforms using aggregate audience data.

We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information to any third party for their own marketing purposes.

06 - International Transfers

Data Outside Canada

Some service providers, including Klaviyo and Shopify, may be based in the United States and may process your data on servers outside Canada. We apply contractual and technical safeguards to ensure protection consistent with Canadian privacy standards.

07 - Cookies

How We Use Cookies

You may control cookies through your browser settings or our cookie consent banner where available.

• Essential cookies, required for the site to function and not optional.
• Analytics cookies, used to help us understand aggregate traffic with no individual profiling.
• Marketing cookies, used for relevant advertising and campaign measurement on Google, Meta and Pinterest.

08 - Your Rights

Your Privacy Rights Under PIPEDA & Alberta PIPA

To exercise any right, contact us at contactus@carattheory.com. We respond within 30 days.

• Right of access, to request confirmation of whether we hold information about you and obtain a copy.
• Right of correction, to request inaccurate or incomplete information be corrected.
• Right to withdraw consent, to withdraw consent to collection, use, or disclosure at any time.
• Right to unsubscribe, to opt out of commercial emails via the unsubscribe link in any email.
• Right to complain, to file a complaint with the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada or Alberta’s OIPC.

09 - Data Retention & Security

How Long We Keep Your Data

We use industry-standard administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect your personal information.

• Email subscribers are retained until you unsubscribe or request deletion.
• Order and transactional records are retained for seven years per Canadian tax regulations.
• Customer support communications are retained for up to three years.

10 - Children’s Privacy

Minimum Age

Our website is not directed at individuals under 16. We do not knowingly collect personal information from minors. If you believe we have done so, contact us immediately.

11 - Policy Updates

Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy to reflect changes in our practices or applicable law. Material changes will be communicated by updating the last updated date above and, where appropriate, by email notification.

01 - Agreement to Terms

Acceptance of These Terms

By accessing carattheory.com, submitting your email, or placing an order, you agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions. If you do not agree, please do not use this site.

Pre-launch note: Until Carat Theory is generally open for purchase, joining our email list gives you access to launch updates, offers, and reminders that may become effective when our Shopify store launches.

02 - About Our Products

Lab-Grown Diamonds & Fine Jewelry

• All diamonds are IGI-certified lab-grown diamonds, physically, chemically, and optically identical to mined diamonds.
• All metal settings are solid 14K gold, never plated, filled, or vermeil.
• Product images are representative and may vary slightly depending on screen settings and natural gemstone variation.
• Contact us before purchasing if you have questions about a specific piece.

03 - Pricing & Availability

Prices, Currency & Errors

• Prices are shown in the currency of your market: Canadian dollars in Canada, US dollars in the United States. Canadian prices are exclusive of applicable taxes unless otherwise stated; US prices include estimated import duties and taxes.
• Prices may change without notice to reflect gold and diamond market fluctuation.
• If we discover a typographical, pricing, or system error after an order is placed, we reserve the right to cancel or modify the affected order. You will not be charged if we cannot fulfill the order.
• Inventory is limited. An item becomes unavailable once sold out, and we will contact you to arrange a refund or alternative if needed.

04 - Orders & Payment

Placing & Confirming Orders

• All order confirmations are issued electronically once payment is authorized and the order is accepted and dispatched for fulfillment.
• We reserve the right to refuse or cancel orders for any reason, including suspected fraud or pricing errors.
• Payment is processed securely via Shopify Payments. We do not store full credit card details on our servers.

05 - Shipping & Delivery

Shipping & Delivery

We ship across Canada and to the United States. All jewelry orders are shipped with signature required upon delivery. For United States orders, duties and import taxes are included in the prices shown.

• Estimated delivery timelines are provided at checkout and are not guaranteed.
• Risk of loss and title pass to you upon delivery to the carrier.
• Delays caused by carriers, weather, or force majeure events are beyond our control.

06 - Returns & Exchanges

Our Return Policy

• Return window: items may be returned within 14 days of confirmed delivery for a full refund to the original payment method.
• Condition: items must be unworn, in original packaging, and include all documentation, including the IGI certificate.
• Exclusions: engraved, resized, or custom order items are final sale unless defective or not as described.
• Process: email contactus@carattheory.com to initiate. We provide a prepaid return label for Canadian addresses; for United States returns, return postage is the customer's responsibility.
• Refund timeline: refunds are processed within 7-10 business days of receiving the item in satisfactory condition.
• Exchanges are available within 14 days for a different size, metal, or design.

07 - Warranty

Product Quality Guarantee

• Manufacturing defects are covered by a one-year warranty from date of purchase against defects in materials and craftsmanship.
• Diamond grade guarantee: we stand behind all IGI-certified grades.
• Not covered: normal wear and tear, loss or stolen items, third-party alterations, or damage from improper use or storage.
• Non-transferable: warranty applies to the original purchaser only.

08 - Use of the Site

Permitted Use & Restrictions

You may use this site for personal, non-commercial purposes only. You agree not to use automated tools to scrape data, submit fraudulent information, attempt unauthorized access, or post harmful content.

09 - Intellectual Property

Ownership of Content

All content, including the Carat Theory name, logo, tagline, product photography, copy, designs, and icons, is protected by Canadian and international copyright and trademark law. Commercial use without express written consent is prohibited.

10 - Limitation of Liability

Disclaimer

Our site and products are provided as-is. To the fullest extent permitted by Canadian law, Carat Theory is not liable for indirect, incidental, or consequential damages. Our maximum liability shall not exceed the purchase price of the specific item giving rise to the claim. Nothing in these Terms limits your rights under Alberta’s Consumer Protection Act.

11 - Governing Law

Alberta, Canada

These Terms are governed by the laws of the Province of Alberta and the federal laws of Canada. Any unresolved dispute shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of Alberta.