Carat weight is one of the 4 Cs of a diamond (cut, color, clarity, and carat). It is unique from color, cut, and clarity in that it is objectively measured on a scale, using the smallest of unit increments to arrive at the precise weight. All precious stones are priced per carat, and one metric carat is equivalent to 200 milligrams. For example, a diamond weighing 100 milligrams would be .5 carats and a diamond weighing 200 milligrams would be 1.0 carats. However, it’s not true that all 1.0 carat stones will be the same size. Depending on the density and cut of the gemstone, the 1.0 carat weight will be slightly larger or smaller.
There are some carat weight benchmarks that jewelers use when cutting diamonds. They are the standard weights you will be asked to specify when choosing the solitaire for an engagement ring, for example. The most popular weights are 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 carats.
Knowing how carat weight affects price is important. Logically, a larger stone costs more than a smaller one, but because of the rarity of larger natural stones, the price difference is not usually proportionate, and you might see a 1.0 carat diamond that costs four times as much as two 0.5 carat diamonds. Understanding this can help you save money when selecting diamonds for your jewelry designs, without sacrificing the drama or beauty of the piece. You might find an advantage in a smaller diamond with a fantastic cut and color that enhances its appearance and has more pop and sizzle than a larger one and combine smaller stones for a stunning outcome.
Diamond Carat Weights
