DIAMOND HANDBOOK - CARAT

1. WHAT IS A DIAMOND CARAT?

Carat is a term that refers to the weight of a diamond and not its size. It is a common misconception that a larger carat weight is always preferable to a smaller carat weight. While it's true that a large stone can be a symbol of prestige, carat weight has nothing to do with radiance. It is a well-crafted cut that produces beautiful sparkle. When In fact, a diamond with a large carat weight but bad cut may appear smaller than a diamond with a smaller carat weight but excellent cut.

2. DIAMOND CARAT PRICE

Large rough crystals are harder to find than small crystals, thus diamonds with higher carat weights are cut from them. As a result, the rarity or availability of a rough crystal influences the link between carat weight and price. Finding raw crystals with appropriate color and internal & exterior qualities will positively impact clarity when the diamond is cut, which also factors in carat price.

3. BRIEF HISTORY OF DIAMOND CARAT

The term "carat" comes from the “carob” tree's seed, where in ancient times the Diamond sellers equated the weight of a diamond to the seeds of the carob tree before scales and units of mass were developed. It wasnt until 1907, at the Fourth General Conference on Weights, the weight of the diamond was established by the uniform weight of each carob seed, which was 0.20 grams or 200 milligrams. Then in 1913 the United States formally adopted the carat measure, and other countries quickly followed suit. Today, the carat is a worldwide metric unit of measurement, with all nations using the same scale. That means that a diamond purchased anywhere in the world will have the same carat weight.

4. THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT CARAT

Smart & Economical Buy:

To save money, choose a carat weight that falls between the whole and half-carat ranges. Consider purchasing a 1.90-carat diamond instead of a 2.00-carat diamond. This will save you a lot of money, and the tiny change will be undetectable.

Go Lavish on Cut:

As it is known the Cut is the most crucial component of a diamond which optimizes its sparkle. Hence, If the cut is bad, even a high-carat diamond with exceptional color and clarity can appear lifeless and dull.

The Fancy Shapes Advantage:

A significant feature of fancy-shaped diamonds is that they are typically less expensive than round diamonds of comparable quality. Furthermore, fancy shapes, especially when set in a halo setting, might appear larger than their real diamond carat weight size. Thus, when in dilemma in regards to budget you can also opt for a Fancy Shaped Diamond.

Magic Of The Ring Size:

Choose a diamond of a certain size that will look larger compared to the smaller fingers. For example, a 1.50-carat diamond solitaire looks larger on a size 6 finger than on a size 8.

Carat Total Weight (CTTW):

The total carat weight of a piece is the total weight of all the diamonds in it. As a result, make sure to ask about the weights of the individual diamonds in any item you're considering purchasing.

5. THE BIGGEST EFFECT ON PRICE

The emphasis on Carat in connection to diamond quality is a fact created, all thanks to the movies, mass media, and advertising, where Carat Weight has become a symbol of prestige, but when it comes to diamond, bigger isn't always better. Hence, to make a wise purchase, focus on a balance of the 4Cs: cut, clarity, color, and carat.

6. DIAMOND CARAT SIZE CHART

When viewed from the top down, this chart depicts how diamonds of various carat weights and shapes appear. The length/width ratio, table, and depth of your diamond may differ from those shown in the chart.